Tensions rise as pro-, anti-Marcos groups gather outside Libingan

Tensions rose outside the Libingan ng mga Bayani on Friday as critics and supporters of the Marcos family trooped to the area following the surprise burial there of the late President Ferdinand Marcos.

A report by GMA News' Lia Mañalac-Del Castillo on Balitanghali said anti-Marcos protesters gathered outside the burial site holding up signs and banners. When they began chanting "Marcos, Hitler, diktador, tuta," a group of Marcos supporters approached them, prompting both sides to taunt each other.

The report said one Marcos supporter grabbed one of the anti-Marcos placards and ripped it, prompting the owner of the placard to chase him.

The report said the fight was shaping up to be one between the younger and older generation, noting the anti-Marcos protesters were mostly composed of the youth.

Supporters of Marcos were heard telling the protesters to go back home because they were too young to know what really transpired during Marcos' presidency.

Police were deployed and on standby in the area to ensure that no untoward violence will occur.

The report said some supporters attempted to enter the cemetery in order to see Marcos' tomb.

Meanwhile, anti-Marcos groups have also gathered along Taft Avenue in Manila.

A report by Susan Enriquez said that the protest began at around 12 .pm., and that the protesters, which included Martial Law victims, will march to UP Diliman later to and hold a program until 4 p.m.

The mass movement has partially affected traffic in the area.

Marcos' burial took place at noon Friday, after the body was flown from Laoag, Ilocos Norte late Friday morning, apparently only hours after a decision was reached on the matter.

The burial, backed by no less than President Rodrigo Duterte, comes 10 days after the Supreme Court ruled to dismiss the consolidated petitions seeking to stop it, voting 9-5-1. —Jessica Bartolome/KBK, GMA News