New group ‘Republic Defenders’ calls for forgiveness, nat’l unity amid Marcos burial issue

A group of private individuals on Saturday called for forgiveness and unity among Filipinos amid the issue of the burial of the late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

The group calling themselves as “Republic Defenders,” is composed of “private citizens” who were “bound together to defend the Republic, its Constitution, and whoever is the President."

“We stand before you today because we love our country, and we want nothing more than to see it become more prosperous in the capable hands of our president and his vision of change,” the Republic Defenders said in a statement read out by its president, Joey Fornier, in a forum in Quezon City.

@gmanews Republic Defenders appeal for national unity and reiterate support to Pres. Duterte. pic.twitter.com/mOo7raS58E

— Erwin Colcol (@erwincolcol) November 26, 2016

The group is led by Fornier as president, Quezon City Councilor Bong Suntay as secretary-general, business columnist Kim Lokin as spokesperson, and Butch Belgica, Lito Soriano and actress Vivian Velez as council members.

Fornier is part of the government negotiating panel in the peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines.

“Hindi ito grupo ng mga sumuporta lang kay Presidente Duterte, grupo din ito ng mga sumuporta kung kani-kanino --- kay Binay, kay Mar Roxas,” Fornier said. “The primary purpose of Republic Defenders is to defend the people who cannot defend themselves.”

In its statement, Republic Defenders claimed that some groups hamper “real change” promised by Duterte by diverting the minds of Filipinos to “detrimental” issues.

“They are confusing the minds of our fellow countrymen and re-directing our focus on matters that might be detrimental in achieving our goal of change,” Republic Defenders said.

One of these issues, Republic Defenders said, is the protests against the Marcos burial. The group reiterated that this issue has already been agreed upon and that Filipinos should start moving on.

“We hope that this does not only put his soul in peace, but also signify a new chapter for our country,” the group said.

While it empathizes with the victims of Martial law, Republic Defenders called for forgiveness and unity “at this time when our focus is being derailed.”

“We do not ask you to forget the dark stories of our county’s past. Instead, we are asking you to open your hearts and forgive. Not for the peace of those who have wronged us, but for our own,” the group said.

On Friday, thousands of anti-Marcos protesters flocked in several locations in Metro Manila and provinces across the Philippines to condemn the clandestine burial of the late strongman at the heroes’ cemetery on November 18.

Suntay said this issue should no longer be a cause of division.

“Sana huwag gamitin ‘yung issue to divide the country. It’s about time na magsama-sama tayo,” Suntay said. —ALG, GMA News