PH Army: Only immediate family can request to exhume body

Former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. was laid to rest at the Libingan ng Mga Bayani on Nov. 18, 2016 — PHOTO FROM MARCOS PRESIDENTIAL CENTER

MANILA, Philippines — Only the immediate family could request to exhume the remains of a person, Army spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala said on Tuesday.

He made the statement when asked about Vice President Sara Duterte’s threat to personally exhume the body of former president Ferdinand Marcos Sr. buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani and throw it into the West Philippine Sea if the political attacks on her continue.

READ: Duterte: I’ll throw Marcos Sr.’s body into West PH Sea if attacks continue

“It can be exhumed as long as the immediate family requests it. If the family makes a request, we will allow it,” Dema-ala said in Filipino in an ambush interview.

“As for the statement of the VP, we cannot comment on that. However, the preparation for the celebration and commemoration of Undas (All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day) is the same as what the Army does every year. The security protocol has been established there to maintain orderliness,” he added.

He also said that the Army, which is in charge of safeguarding the LNMB in Taguig City, has already started preparing for the observance of this year’s Undas.

Last Friday, Duterte held a press conference to address President Fedinand Marcos Jr.’s claim that Duterte “deceived” him after she denied ever being friends with him.

Marcos and Duterte were running mates in the 2022 elections.