AFP: Dictator’s kin to mark Marcos’ 100th birthday at Libingan ng mga Bayani

The heirs of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos will commemorate his 100th birthday at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, the Armed Forces of the Philippines confirmed on Friday.

Col. Edgard Arevalo, AFP public affairs office chief, said the Marcos family wanted their observance of his birth anniversary to remain private and rejected coverage requests from media entities.

“Nagpahatid na ng pasabi ang pamilya Marcos hinggil sa gagawin nilang pagdiriwang ng araw ng kaarawan ng dating pangulo at ayon na rin sa kanilang kahilingan hinahangad nila na maging pribado ang kanilang commemoration,” Arevalo said.

“Magalang na tinanggihan ng pamilya (ang request na i-cover ang event) sapagkat ayon sa kanila mas gusto nila na pribado itong event na ito sa kanilang pamilya meaning hindi covered ng media,” he added.

He said expected protests would not be allowed inside the Libingan.

“Definitely hindi sila pwede sa loob because it’s hallowed ground, at least for now ‘yan ang ating pagkakaalam,” Arevalo said.

The remains of the former president were clandestinely buried at the Libingan on November 18 last year, just 10 days after the Supreme Court ruled to dismiss the consolidated petitions seeking to prevent Marcos' burial at the heroes' cemetery.

Malacañang earlier this week declared September 11 a special non-working day in Marcos' hometown Ilocos Norte for his centennial birth anniversary.

Arevalo said the security preparations at the Libingan would be handled by the Philippine Army, the custodian of the heroes' cemetery.

“Ang security preparation niyan would have to be handled by the Philippine Army, that area, the Libingan ng mga Bayani bilang sila ang physical custodian, sila ang nagpo-provide ng physical security,” Arevalo said.

He said he was not privy to the measures that would be taken but added that a representative of the family was coordinating with the Philippine Army.

Told that a number of invitations had been sent to congressmen, Arevalo said it was the prerogative of the family who they want to invite.

“It is entirely the prerogative on the part of the family kung sino ang gusto nilang imbitahin at if there will be any security requirement that will be necessary then we may have to provide,” Arevalo said. —NB/KVD, GMA News