Catholic schools to Duterte: Marcos wished to be buried next to mother in Ilocos

The Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP) has urged President Rodrigo Duterte to grant the deathbed wish of former President Ferdinand Marcos to be buried next to her mother's grave in Ilocos Norte.

“At his deathbed, Mr. Marcos himself asked that he be buried next to his mother in Ilocos, where he is revered and loved,” the CEAP said in a statement

The CEAP added: "Fulfilling Mr. Marcos’s deathbed wish will give us all the unity and closure that this country desperately needs."

The group, which expressed opposition against Duterte's decision to allow the hero's burial for Marcos, said that granting the late president's wish will also bring "a final measure of justice, justice due decades-long after the dark chapter of our history under dictatorial rule."

It reiterated that Marcos should not be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, which is "a national shrine for heroic Filipinos who have rendered great service and sacrifice for the nation."

The group also asked Duterte to fulfill his promise of unity and healing.

“President Rody, we ask nothing that you have not already promised. Justice. Unity. Healing. A better Philippines as envisioned by the thousands who gave the ultimate sacrifice to restore the freedoms that we now enjoy. President Rody, we ask that you heal this festering wound. Let this be your legacy. Please do not allow the burial of Mr. Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.” —ALG, GMA News