SARRAT, Ilocos Norte—A mixture of sadness and excitement are drawn on the faces of some Ilocanos here as preparations are underway for the Sept. 18 burial of the late strongman Ferdinand E. Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.
Kept for the last 23 years in a glass coffin in a dimly-lit room in the Marcos mausoleum, his body will be transferred to a personalized casket the Marcos family prepared for him in anticipation for his burial complete with military honors at the Libingan.
As is customary for Ilocano burial rites, Marcos’ body will be brought to his birthplace in Sarrat, and taken to the Sta. Monica Church, which the former first lady and now Rep. Imelda Marcos helped restore after it was destroyed by a strong earthquake.
Later on, it became the setting of the grand wedding of Marcos’ daughter Irene and Gregorio Araneta.
Carlito Ranjo Jr., parish priest, said they expect the body to arrive at 7:30 a.m. on Sept. 15. Then he will officiate a mass at 9:00 a.m. on the same day.
Ranjo said an overnight prayer vigil will be conducted every hour.
Thousands of guests and visitors from all over the country are expected to join the vigil.
“We are expecting a huge number of visitors so as early as now, we are quite worried how to handle all preparations,” said Ranjo.
After an overnight vigil in Sarrat, his remains will be brought to the UNESCO-world heritage site of St. Augustine Church for another Mass and prayer vigil on Sept. 16. A Mass will be officiated by Manuel Lamprea, resident priest of Paoay Church.
Earlier, Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos met with Bishop Renato Mayugba to discuss church preparations and the burial ceremony in Ilocos Norte before the body of Marcos will be brought to the Libingan ng mga Bayani via the Laoag International Airport.
But some residents here are not happy about the latest developments.
For the longest time since Marcos was kept lying at the Batac mausoleum, friends and loyalists from the different parts of the country occupied the busy streets of Batac, Laoag and Sarrat to celebrate with Ilocanos the Sept. 11 birthday anniversary of Marcos (this year is the 99th).
This year, Ianree Raquel, head of the Ilocos Norte Tourism Office, said they have coordinated with different sectors what to do with the traditional Marcos fiesta, which features a “sing and look-alike contest” for contestants who can sing the favorite love songs favored by Marcos and Imelda.
Earlier this month, members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan has unanimously approved on Aug. 1 a resolution requesting President Rodrigo Duterte to declare Sept. 11, 2016 as a special non-working holiday in the entire province of Ilocos Norte.
While some Ilocanos appreciate Duterte’s gesture to allow Marcos’ burial in Libingan, older Ilocanos and the tourist industry are saddened.
“It’s a big deal that we have an increase in foot traffic because of him. We cannot deny that he is helping in the livelihood of our tour guides, craftsmen and all other tourism stakeholders,” he added.
“We can feel the sadness and hesitation from our elders but at the same time, they are happy that the present administration is keen on giving him the burial honors that the family has longed for,” Raquel said.
The Defense Department has ordered the Armed Forces to prepare for the Marcos burial amid strong opposition from martial law victims.
“[K]indly undertake the necessary planning and preparations to facilitate the coordination of all agencies concerned especially with the provisions for ceremonial and security requirements,” a memo from Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana to AFP chief Gen. Ricardo R. Visaya said.
“Coordinate closely with the Marcos family regarding the date of interment and the transport of the late former President’s remains from Ilocos Norte to the LNMB,” Lorenzana’s memo read.
On Sunday, Duterte reiterated his reasons for allowing Marcos to be given a hero’s burial.
“I will allow Marcos to be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. He was a soldier. He was there to fight for his country,” Duterte said.
Lorenzana also assigned the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office to designate a focal person to oversee the event.
A bronze casket which will carry the remains of the preserved body of the late strongman has arrived at Batac City, Ilocos Norte, more than a month ahead of the scheduled burial. The casket was ordered from the United States, and was picked by Imelda Marcos herself.
Leaders of the House of Representatives on Monday rallied behind Duterte’s decision to bury Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.
Reps. Gus Tambunting of Parañaque City, Karlo Alexei Nograles of Davao City and Deputy Speaker Fredenil Castro of Capiz said the issue of the Marcos burial should be put to rest.
Senator Leila de Lima, a former Justice secretary, said there was no legal obstacle to burying Marcos in the Libingan ng mga Bayani.
But Vice President Leni Robredo criticized Duterte’s decision, saying Marcos was no hero and did not deserve a hero’s burial.
“How can we allow a hero’s burial for a man who has plundered our country and was responsible for the death and disappearance of many Filipinos? Those who have greatly committed crimes and moral turpitude to the Filipino people cannot be buried in the Libingan ng mga Bayani,” she said.
The President’s decision will only sow disunity, deepen the unhealed wounds of the survivors and kin of the “terrible” years under the Marcos presidency, she said.
“Furthermore, his heirs continue to deny that these sins against our people happened. They continue to have no remorse and still prevent the return of the wealth that they stole,” she added.
“It is our responsibility to teach our children the heroism and sacrifice of our forefathers. And Mr. Marcos is no hero.”
Robredo narrowly defeated Marcos’ son, Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr., in the hotly contested May 9 vice presidential race. Marcos has filed an election protest, however.
Commission on Human Rights chairperson Chito Gascon, for his part, also opposed a hero’s burial for the late president.
At a news conference on the national inquiry into indigenous people’s rights, Gascon urged the President to reconsider his decision, noting that there were over 200,000 victims of human rights abuses under the Marcos regime. With John Paolo Bencito, Maricel V. Cruz, Rio N. Araja, Macon Ramos-Araneta, PNA