VP Sara to dig up Marcos Sr.'s body? PH Army says LNMB secured for Undas

The Philippine Army on Tuesday said security protocols are in place at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (LNMB) for Undas or All Saints' Day amid the remarks of Vice President Sara Duterte that she would dig up the body of former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. if attacks against her do not stop.

In a press briefing, Philippine Army spokesperson Colonel Louie Dema-ala was asked about Duterte’s remarks but he refused to comment, saying “that is a political statement.”

“However, in preparation doon sa celebration natin and commemoration ng Undas, kagaya ng ginagawa ng Philippine Army taon-taon, naka-establish naman na 'yung mga security protocols natin doon to maintain 'yung orderliness,” he said.

(However, in preparation for our celebration and commemoration of Undas, as the Philippine Army does every year, our security protocols have been established to maintain orderliness.)

“So wala naman tayong ginawang mga additional security preparations (So we didn't make any additional security preparations),” he added.

According to the Dema-ala, the remains buried at the LNMB are “very safe” from people who may intrude or desecrate the tombs.

In an ambush interview, Dema-ala pointed out that digging up remains at the heroes' cemetery will only be allowed if immediate families requested it.

“Puwede naman maghukay as long as it is requested by the immediate family. Kapag pamilya nila ang mag-request, i-allow naman natin,” he said.

(Digging [of remains] is allowed as long as it is requested by the immediate family. If their family makes a request, we will allow it.)

Last week, Duterte said she told Senator Imee Marcos that she would dig up the body of Marcos Sr. and throw it into the West Philippine Sea (WPS) if attacks against her do not stop.

She made the statement when asked in a press conference if she thinks the current administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has forgotten that it was her father, ex-President Rodrigo Duterte who permitted the burial of Marcos Sr. at the LNMB.

"Hindi ko alam. Isang beses sinabihan ko talaga si Sen. Imee (Marcos), ''Pag 'di tumigil, huhukayin ko and tatay ninyo at itatapon ko sya sa West Philippine Sea,'" Duterte said.

(I don't know. One time, I told Sen. Imee that if it does not stop, I'll dig up the body of your father and throw him in the West Philippine Sea.)

Marcos Sr. died on September 28, 1989 in Hawaii. His body was brought back to the Philippines in 1993 during the term of then President Fidel V. Ramos and brought to his home province of Ilocos Norte. In 2016, then President Rodrigo Duterte allowed the burial of Marcos' body at the LNMB. The burial took place on Nov. 18, 2016. —KG, GMA Integrated News