MANILA, Philippines — The grave of late dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos is among the most visited tombs at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (LNMB) on the eve of Undas, nearly three years since his controversial burial at the hallowed ground in Taguig City.
Visitors, a mixture of young and old ones, paid a visit at Marcos’ grave at the Presidents Section of LNMB or Heroes Cemetery.
Among the former presidents buried at the Presidents Section of the Libingan ng mga Bayani, Ferdinand Marcos' tomb had the most number of visitors. @inquirerdotnet pic.twitter.com/ZdzTVtFrRY
— Darryl John Esguerra (@drrylesguerra) October 31, 2019
Other former presidents interred at the cemetery were Diosdado Macapagal, Elpidio Quirino, and Carlos Garcia.
Among the former presidents buried at LNMB, Marcos’ tomb had the most visitors.
In fact, Marcos’ number of visitors is comparable to that of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, arguably the most iconic site at the 103-hectare cemetery.
Some of Marcos’ visitors would stop by to take photos and selfies with his grave.
“Pwede magpa-picture? Sabi ibabawal daw, eh loyalist kami,” a woman asked a soldier posted at Marcos’ tomb.
Marcos’ remains were interred at the Heroes Cemetery on November 18, 2016, despite massive opposition.
Marcos is among the most polarizing figure in the Philippines.
He is most likely to be remembered for his declaration of martial law, a period which led to the closure of more than 80 newspapers, 292 radio stations, and public utility services.
According to Amnesty International, Marcos’ martial law caused the deaths of 3,240 people, imprisonment of 70,000, and torture of 34,000.
READ: Duterte sends flowers to graves of former presidents, but none for Marcos
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