Cabinet officials urged to make a stand on Marcos issue

Reform group Pagbabago! urged Cabinet officials to make their own position on proposals to give full military honors to the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos, independent of recommendations of Vice President Jejomar Binay.

In a dialogue with Justice Secretary Leila De Lima held this morning, Pagbabago! convenors submitted to De Lima its petition statement and its signatories opposing any hero’s recognition for Marcos including granting full military honors for the deposed President.

“The granting of a hero’s burial or full military honors to Marcos is not just a political issue but a moral and ethical issue.  History already judged Marcos. The people through an uprising already deposed him. Why rehabilitate Marcos now?” said Fr. Joe Dizon, Spokesperson of Pagbabago!

Earlier, President Benigno Aquino already stated that he will not allow the late President Marcos to be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani but has not concluded on the recommendation of Vice President Binay to give Marcos full military honors.

“We urge Cabinet secretaries to make its own position apart from Binay’s recommendation.  We are hoping Secretary de Lima and other like-minded Cabinet officials would convince the President to act on this issue judiciously.   We should not allow revision of history.  We should teach the correct lessons to our people especially the youth and the generations to come,” Fr. Joe Dizon said.

END IMPUNITY

The group also brought up in the dialogue various cases involving human rights violations committed by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, including the complaint lodged by the mothers of missing UP students Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeño against Gen. Jovito Palparan, et al.  The DOJ already summoned Palparan to its preliminary investigation.

“We welcome the Resolution of the Supreme Court on the Cadapan-Empeño-Merino case.   Military officials alleged in this case should be made accountable for their heinous crimes committed against Sherlyn, Karen and Manuel,” added Fr. Dizon.

The group vowed to remain vigilant on the proceedings of the preliminary investigation.

 “Human rights violators and corrupt officials in the AFP should be removed from their posts and punished for their crimes against the people.  They belong to the dustbin of history,” said Fr. Dizon.#