The Body of Philippine Dictator Marcos Will Be Moved to a Hero’s Cemetery

The embalmed body of former Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos is to be buried in Manila’s Heroes’ Cemetery following the approval of President Rodrigo Duterte, the BBC reports.

Transferring the late ruler’s body, presently on display in his home city of Batac, has stirred controversy, with critics saying Marcos is undeserving of the honorable burial given his record of corruption and rights violations. Blamed for the torture, killing, and abduction of thousands, Marcos, who died in 1989, ruled the Philippines for over 20 years until he was ousted in the People Power Revolution of 1986.

However, preparations for the burial, which could happen next month, are reportedly already in progress, the BBC says.

Duterte — known as “the Punisher” — also sees himself as a strongman and has repeatedly pledged to eradicate drugs, crime, and corruption from the Philippines. Recent reports indicate that several hundred have already died in his bloody crackdown on drugs.

[BBC]