Army spox says only family members can dig up remains of Marcos Sr. at Libingan
Only the family of the deceased could dig up the remains of their loved ones at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, according to the spokesperson of the Philippine Army.
“It is allowed as long as it is the family who will request to transfer the remains of their loved one,” Col. Louie Dema-ala, the Philippine Army spokesperson, told reporters at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Tuesday.
Dema-ala made the remarks in the wake of Vice President Sara Duterte’s statement that she would exhume the remains of former dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr. at the Heroes’ Cemetery in Taguig City and throw it to the West Philippine Sea if the political attacks against her continue.
Then President Rodrigo Duterte, the Vice President’s father, allowed the burial of Marcos Sr. at the Libingan ng mga Bayani despite protests from martial law victims.
Read more: DOJ looking at legal aspects of VP’s statement on Marcos Sr.’s remains
“As long as they have that permit and they have that authority, they are allowed to exhume the body, as long as they are members of the immediate family,” Dema-ala said.
The family of the deceased, according to him, would need to request for an approval from the grave services unit of the Libingan ng mga Bayani, which would then be forwarded to the general headquarters of the Armed Forces of the Philippines for approval.
Once approved, the family would need to secure a permit to transfer the cadaver, he said.
He cited that there were already instances in the past where families requested the transfer of the remains of their loved ones.
Dema-ala said security protocols are in place at the Libingan ng mga Bayani ahead of the Undas or the All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.
“In preparation for our celebration and commemoration of Undas, like what the Philippine Army does every year, our security protocols have been established to maintain orderliness there,” he said.
The Army official said that the remains buried at the Heroes’ Cemetery are “very safe” from people who may attempt to desecrate the tombs.
On October 18, Duterte said at a press conference that she had warned Sen. Imee Marcos that she would exhume the body of Marcos Sr. and dump it into the West Philippine Sea should the attacks against her persist.
“I told Senator Imee, if you don’t stop, I will dig the grave of your father and I will throw him to the West Philippine Sea,” Duterte.
President Marcos hasn’t made any public statements about Sara’s threat. Marcos and Duterte ran on the same slate for the 2022 presidential election, but the alliance collapsed in June when she resigned from Mr. Marcos’ Cabinet.
