Image from Libingan ng mga Bayani’s Facebook Profile - Armed Forces of the Philippines has released its guidelines on who can be interred at the Heroes’ Cemetery
- Filipino soldiers, war veterans, heroes, martyrs, presidents are some of those who can be buried at the cemetery
- However, those who have been dishonorably discharged from service or those convicted of an offense involving moral turpitude, do not qualify for entombment
MANILA – Amidst the controversy over the proposed burial of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr. at the Libingan ng mga Bayani [Heroes’ Cemetery], the Armed Forces of the Philippines [AFP] has released the guidelines on who may be allowed to be buried in the cemetery.
According to the AFP spokesman Col. Benjamin Hao, the Heroes’ Cemetery is a property where Filipino soldiers, war veterans, heroes and martyrs are laid to rest, Elena Aben of Manila Bulletin wrote. The country’s presidents, national artists, scientists, dignitaries and AFP chiefs of staff are also buried in the 103-hectare cemetery. Currently, around 49,000 are laid to rest in the Heroes’ Cemetery.
Hao, citing AFP’s regulation enumerated the following persons as qualified to be interred at the cemetery:
- Medal of Valor awardees
- Presidents or AFP commander-in-chief
- Secretaries of national defense
- AFP chiefs of staff
- Generals/flag officers of the AFP
- Active and retires military personnel of the AFP including active draftees and trainees who died in the line of duty, and active reservists and CAFGU Active Auxiliary who dies in combat-related activities)
- Former members of the AFP who laterally entered or joined the Philippine Coast Guard and the Philippine National Police
- Veterans of Philippine Revolution of 1890, World War I, World War II, and recognized guerillas
- Government dignitaries, statesmen, national artist and other deceased persons whose interment and re-interment has been approved by the commander-in-chief, Congress or the secretary of national defense
- Former presidents, secretaries of defense, dignitaries, statesmen, national artists, widow of former presidents, secretaries of national defense and chief of staff
However, those who have been dishonorably discharged from service or those convicted of an offense involving moral turpitude, do not qualify for entombment; an article published by Rappler said.
The proposed burial of Marcos in the same cemetery and incoming president Rodrigo Duterte’s approval has gained opposing reactions. The Marcoses, their allies and supporters, has long been pushing for a hero’s burial for the late president; citing his accomplishments as a former soldier and head of the state.
However, Martial Law victims, different groups including families of those buried in the cemetery strongly oppose the proposal. An online petition on Change.org initiated by Dolly De Leon, claimed that Marcos is not a hero and stated that only heroes are allowed to be buried in the cemetery.
It further stated that burying Marcos alongside the nation’s heroes would be an “affront to the thousands of lives tortured and murdered during his reign.”
Post a Comment