Former Senator Aquilino Pimentel Jr. AFP FILE PHOTO
Former Senator Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel Jr. had strong words against the burial of former President Ferdinand Marcos at the heroes’ cemetery.
Satur Ocampo, who is also a former legislator and political detainee, read Pimentel’s message during a press conference on Friday’s anti-Marcos protest.
READ: Bigger protests vs Marcos burial set
“My marching days are over. But my position remains the same. Marcos’ burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani will desecrate the sacred burial ground of soldiers and heroes who served the country faithfully and well,” said Pimentel, who was jailed during martial law for opposing Marcos.
“Marcos was no hero. He exploited his presidential powers not only to amass tremendous wealth but also to oppress, jail, torture and salvage thousands of our fellow men and women,” he said.
Marcos’ body was transferred from Ilocos Norte to the Libingan ng mga Bayani on November 18, in a manner that has been described as “sneaky,” “sinister” and “like a thief in the night.” It was done even before the Supreme Court could receive and decide on motions for reconsideration of anti-Marcos groups.
Martial law victims and even young Filipinos have been vocal against what happened. They claim that Marcos does not deserve a hero’s burial because of the human rights violations and corruption that occurred during his administration, which lasted for 20 years.
Pimentel, father of Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, said he hopes the actions of groups like the Campaign Against the Return of the Marcoses to Malacañang would “help open the eyes of the youth, especially to the ills of Marcos dictatorial regime.” RAM