Bishop calls for protest vs Marcos hero’s burial

Protesters at People Power monument chant “Marcos diktador, di bayani!” and sing “Marcos, Marcos magnanakaw!” Photo by Jaymee Gamil/INQUIRER

BACOLOD CITY—San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza has called for a massive protest following the burial of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (LMNB).

He urged the faithful to join them in the ringing of the Church bells on Nov. 25 at 3 p.m. so the Filipinos would not forget the atrocities committed when Marcos placed the country under martial rule.

READ: Marcos laid to rest in ‘sneaky’ rites at Libingan ng mga Bayani

“Let us not forget! We will always remember: NO PEACE, NO CLOSURE, WITHOUT JUSTICE AND REPARATION!” he said in a text message to Inquirer.

“Let’s make this an impetus for us to rally together to protest, to express contrition for our social sin of omission and do something—whatever we are capable of doing to correct this shameful tragedy,” he added.

Alminaza said the call of the hour was bigger than just preventing Marcos from being interred at the LMNB.

READ: Catholic schools join call vs granting hero’s burial

Alminaza stressed that it was about passing on to the next generation a truthful account of the nation’s history, honoring the sacrifices of those who shed their blood for freedom, justice and democratic ideals.

He added it was also about seeking justice for victims of Martial Law and making sure that the Filipinos learn from the darkest pages in the country’s history.

“If this incredible thing is happening to us now it’s because we have perhaps succumbed to ‘social amnesia,’” said the bishop. RAM/rga