IN a recent The Filipino Channel “Balitang America” viewers’ poll, a majority (55 percent) of those who voted say they agree with President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to allow the interment of deposed Pres. Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.
Duterte says he is just executing the law, and claims the law grants Marcos a hero’s burial because he was a Filipino, a former president, and a soldier. But many Fil-Ams do not support this controversial decision.
ABS-CBN North America News Bureau Chief Paul Henson ran an incisive story on “Balitang America” about the sentiments of those who vehemently oppose Marcos’ burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. They are in solidarity with those who petitioned the Supreme Court to stop Duterte’s bold and contentious move. They all ask one question that they hope would make Duterte and the Supreme Court conscientiously and justly decision this case: “What makes a man a hero?”
Henson talked to Honorio Mitra, a World War II veteran, who said the measure of a hero is simple.
“Yung tapat sa kapwa at hindi humagawa ng kaalibasbasan sa kapwa,” Mitra said.
This real war hero fought with others who have offered the ultimate sacrifice for the freedom of the country, and he believes Marcos did not measure up.
Ago Pedalizo, a son of a late Air Force man and a tireless and relentless advocate of Filipino veterans, also disagrees with Duterte’s decision.
“Hindi nagnakaw ang tatay ko. Walang cases of torture, walang rape. Hindi kami nagnakaw. So para itabi mo siya sa mga taong gumawa noon, maiinsulto siya ulit,” he told Henson on “Balitang America.”
Henson said in his report that the Philippine government itself recognizes the human rights violations during the Marcos dictatorship. P10 billion had been allotted by the government that Duterte now heads for the reparations of the more than 75,000 victims who filed claims before the Human Rights Victims Board.
This is personal for the widow of a former guerilla and Purple Heart awardee who told Henson that history will judge why Marcos should not be given a hero’s burial.
“Unfair…. Oo naging presidente siya. Oo hindi ityinatanggi na marami siyang nagawa…pero nahaluan ng masyadong mabigat [na kasalanan] — paaano siya magiging bayani?” asked Flor delos Santos.
Ago Pedalizo, on behalf of the vetrans he has been fighting for challenged Pres. Duterte, “ Nandun ka sa tamang pagkilala kung sino ang bayani at sino ang hindi. Sa iyo hindi malinaw, sa amin malinaw. At dapat ang utang na loob sa aming bumoto sa iyo, hindi kung sino amg nagpondo sa iyo sa eleksyon.”
The Supreme Court will soon be deliberating on the petition against the Marcos burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. Duterte said he will follow the ruling of the highest court of the land.
Should the Supreme Court stop the burial of Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani? Do you agree that Marcos was really a hero?
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Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www.facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos
