Diokno son says Marcos at Libingan ‘a tragedy and a farce’

In this Aug. 14, 2016 file photo,  hundreds of people gather at the Lapu-Lapu monument in Rizal Park, Manila, to protest the burial of President Ferdinand Marcos at Libingan ng mga Bayani. President Duterte is determined to allow a state burial for the late dictator. MARIANNE BERMUDEZ/INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA — The son of the late opposition Senator and human rights advocate Jose “Ka Pepe” Diokno on Tuesday said having the dictator Ferdinand Marcos buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani is both “a tragedy and a farce.”

Jose Manuel “Chel” Diokno, in a statement sent to  Philippine Daily  Inquirer, said the high tribunal’s ruling that paved the way for Marcos’ interment at a resting place for heroes “should not silence those who know the truth.”

“It should make us more determined to set the record straight, lest history repeat itself,” Diokno said.

Diokno is the dean of the De La Salle University College of Law and the national chairman of the Free Legal Assistance Group (Flag).

Ka Pepe Diokno and the late Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino, Jr. were among the first opposition leaders ordered arrested by Marcos soon after he declared martial law and shut down Congress.

Aquino and Diokno were placed in solitary confinement at Fort Magsaysay in Laur, Nueva Ecija.

After his release from prison, Diokno continued with his work as a human rights lawyer.

He died of cancer in February 1987.  SFM

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