Odd one out.
Among the late Filipinos who fought with valor and patriotism for the sake of the country, one dictator was given the privilege to be given a spot in the prestigious national burial dedicated to honor the recognized heroes of the Philippines.
Right when Duterte had just risen into power four years ago, among his first undertaking was to order the burial of the late president Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani — drawing debate and controversy in opposing parties.
Now, there is one impostor among them.
As someone who brought about suffering to the Filipino people en masse, the efforts of generations-worth of heroes who sacrificed themselves for the sake of the nation would be invalidated.
One tyrant was laid to rest among them, desecrating the well-respected burial site, while the Marcoses rejoiced and thought it is a feat well-deserved.
Marcos’ inclusion in the Libingan ng mga Bayani would denote acknowledging Marcos as an honored figure with outstanding contribution to the Philippine government.
Unfortunately, many fell victim to the propaganda of Marcos apologists and the top-notch drama of the Marcoses.
And just like that, like a thief in the night, luck favored the Marcoses’ agenda.
If Marcos would be the standard of a hero, then who would want to be one?
Talk about plunging the nation into extreme debt, forced labor for imeldific infrastructure construction, extremist media oppression, inhumane implementation of martial law, and the Guinness World Record holder on Greatest robbery of a Government.
Such heinous acts should rightfully be etched in history, and with the addition of Marcos at the Philippine Heroes’ Cemetery, the government itself taints the reputation of the order of Philippine Heroes.
Is this how low the standard of a hero would be in the eyes of the current administration?
Most importantly, Duterte’s order boils down to one major conclusion: historical revisionism.
One should never forget how the Marcoses sabotaged the country for personal and political interests, thinking they may just get on with it.
The Libingan ng mga Bayani serves as a memorial tomb for the valorant Filipinos who fought for the country, and the Pearl won’t acknowledge one impostor among them.
The Pearl of the Orient remembers. Never Forget. Never Again.
