(Eagle News) — Forget about political colors.
This was the message of President Rodrigo Duterte to residents in Tarlac, a supposed bailiwick of the Aquinos, on Wednesday.
“If the Ilocanos would like to have a hero in the name of Ferdinand Marcos, give it to them,” he said, justifying his decision to allow the burial of the former president in the Libingan ng mga Bayani.
The burial–which was done months after Duterte assumed the presidency in 2016–was hit mostly by groups and individuals who said they were victims of human rights during Marcos’ term.
But it was hailed by Marcos’ supporters, who said he has done much for the country when he was president.
Duterte said if this was not done,”half of Ilocandia … will harbor resentment..”
“And it will continue to divide the country,” he said.