2,000 supporters visit Marcos’ grave at heroes’ cemetery

At least 2,000 supporters of the Marcos family visited the grave site of former President Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani on Saturday.

A report on Balitanghali said the Marcos supporters arrived at the Libingan ng mga Bayani at around 7 a.m. on board 51 buses and 49 private vehicles.

The supporters along with members of the Marcos family including former first lady Imelda Marcos and children, Bongbong and Imee, returned to the heroes' cemetery for a Mass.

Supporters of the Marcos clan said they paid for their own transportation and miscellaneous expenses.

They hope that the sudden relocation of Marcos to the heroes' cemetery in Taguig City would eventually be accepted by the entire country and, like them, see it as an act of unity.

"Nandyan na 'yan, pagbigyan na natin po para masaya naman tayo tsaka to make it peace," one supporter told GMA News.

Another supporter said: "Hindi na ho dapat mahukay 'yan dahil nabigyan na ng Korte Suprema na mailibing ho dito sa ano. Bigyan na natin ng katahimikan si Apo."

"Siguro nakasali sila sa kagipitan kaya nabiktima sila po. Ay kami doon eh, ingat- wala silang pinag-ingat po kaya nabiktima sila," said a female supporter. "Condolence na lang po."

Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos refused to give a statement along with Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and former First Lady Imelda Marcos to all members of the media.

During the gathering, the three Marcoses delivered speeches.

The governor said no other activities were arranged for the supporters, who are expected to leave the heroes' cemetery by 5 p.m.

Meanwhile, Libingan executive and operations officer Major Elinor Pedroso said they will allow anti-Marcos rallyists to gather by the highway outside the road leading to the cemetery gates to avoid conflict.

Pedroso, who confirmed the presence of at least 100 military and police personnel at the heroes' cemetery, also asked people with family members buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani to postpone their visit for another day.

Burials scheduled on Saturday will go as planned, he added. —report from Victoria Tulad/Rie Takumi/ALG, GMA News