Church urges public to join Friday protest vs Marcos burial

Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo —INQUIRER PHOTO

An official of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has called on the public to join the protests on Friday against the burial of former President Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (Heroes’ Cemetery).

Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo, head of the CBCP-Episcopal Commission on the Laity, said the Catholic Church is in solidarity with the protesters, especially those who are martial law victims.

“Nanawagan po tayo sa ating mga kapanalig na makiisa sa kilos protesta ngayong Biyernes upang ipahayag ang ating damdamin, ang hindi natin pagsang-ayon sa paglilibing sa diktador na si Marcos doon sa Libingan ng mga Bayani,” he said over Radyo Veritas.

(We are calling on the faithful to join protests this Friday to show that we do not agree to the burial of a dictator like Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.)

“Sana makiisa po tayo upang ipakita na dapat may pananagutan, mananagot dapat sila sa kanilang ginawa,” Pabillo said.

(I hope we support this and hold those responsible accountable.)

Marcos’ remains were transferred to the heroes’ cemetery on Nov. 18 without prior announcement. Critics called the move “sneaky” and “sinister.”

Pabillo said the Marcos family should be charged for stealing the money of Filipino taxpayers.

He said the youth should also be lauded for being involved, contrary to the beliefs of some that they are apathetic.

“Sila mismo ay sariwa sa kanilang kaisipan, kamalayan na ayaw rin nilang mangyari ulit itong ganitong madahas na pagpapalakad ng pamahalaan,” he said, referring to martial law.

(The youth do not want such a violent form of government to happen again.)

Meanwhile, Sister Mary John Mananzan, former chair of the Association of Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines, said young students participating in the protests were not forced and were even asked to get permission from their parents to join.

She admitted that the burial of Marcos is “a failure of our generation.” She said martial law should have been adequately discussed in history books and in classrooms./rga

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