Duterte cites reasons for allowing ‘Libingan’ burial for Marcos

President Rodrigo Duterte early on Sunday reiterated his reasons for allowing late strongman Ferdinand Marcos' burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani amid opposition from several groups.

In Davao City, while visiting the wake of soldiers killed in clash with communist insurgents, the President said the late strongman is qualified for burial at the heroes' cemetery in Taguig City being a soldier and former president.

"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," he said, and that he will let the Marcos family decide on when to bury their dead.

A report from the Philippine Star said the family decided to bury Marcos on September 18 after he gave the go signal.

Former Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. clarified Saturday that the burial of his father is still in the "planning stage."

Duterte said last May that he will fulfill his campaign promise of allowing Marcos' burial at the Libingan.

The younger Marcos even met Duterte in Davao City about a month after winning the presidential elections.

Since his death in 1989, Marcos' remains has been lying in his hometown of Batac, Ilocos Norte which is open to the public to see.

Various groups expressed opposition to Duterte's pronouncement and appealed to the president to reconsider his position. — Joseph Tristan Roxas/LBG, GMA News