Military to accord Marcos honors if told to do so—Gazmin

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin at Camp Aguinaldo on Tuesday explains the issues surrounding the planned hero's burial for ex-President Marcos in Ilocos Norte. The Marcoses have asked for military honors for the late dictator. INQUIRER/ MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

MANILA, Philippines—Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said Tuesday the military will provide military burial honors to the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos in line with military “regulations” but only if told to do so.

A former Army chief, Gazmin said the military would follow the President’s orders regardless how they felt about honoring the man who imposed martial law, which he said has since given the military a notorious image.

“If we have to be militaristic about it, we follow the regulations,” he said at a press briefing, adding: “That’s a very political question. We will implement what is ordered of us. As far as our feelings are concerned, our feelings are not asked (sic).”