Duterte on Marcos’ burial at heroes’ cemetery: It will erase one hatred in PH

Presumptive President-elect Rodrigo Duterte. NESTOR CORRALES/INQUIRER.net

DAVAO CITY—Presumptive President-elect Rodrigo Duterte said on Monday that he favors the burial of the late dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in order to eliminate one of the “hatreds” persisting in the country.

In a press briefing here, Duterte said that he will accede to the burial of the late strongman at the Libingan ng mga Bayani because he is a former soldier.

“I will allow the burial of President Marcos sa Libingan ng mga Bayani not because he is a hero but because he was a Filipino soldier, period,” Duterte said.

“Yang issue sa burial ni President Ferdinand Marcos sa Libingan ng mga Bayani has created division among our people… I am sure that I will erase among our people one hatred,” he added.

Since he was campaigning for the presidency, Duterte has expressed his approval to bury Marcos in the said burial grounds.

Asked for his reaction on the perceived backlash of his decision, the incoming President believes that he has at least addressed one of the issues that divided the country.

He said that the burial of Marcos at the Libingan can be arranged immediately.