As a research assistant, I believe you are looking for information on the burial space for former Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos at Libingan ng mga Bayani (Heroes’ Cemetery) and the historical context surrounding it.
Ferdinand Marcos was the President of the Philippines from 1965 until being ousted from power in 1986 due to the People Power Revolution after facing widespread allegations of corruption, human rights abuses, and imposing martial law on the country. After his overthrow, he went to exile in Hawaii, where he died in 1989. His remains were preserved in the United States before finally being returned to the Philippines in 1993.
The burial of Marcos at the Heroes’ Cemetery (Libingan ng mga Bayani) remained a contentious issue for many years in the Philippines, with the question of whether he should be buried at a site meant to honor national heroes, given his controversial rule and human rights abuses during his regime. Marcos’ supporters argued that, as a former soldier and president, he deserved to be buried there.
In August 2016, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered Marcos’ burial at the Heroes’ Cemetery, justifying it by saying Marcos was a former soldier and president, and it was in line with the Philippine laws. On November 18, 2016, Marcos was buried at the Heroes’ Cemetery in a private, military-style ceremony, which was conducted with short notice to the public. The decision to bury him at the Heroes’ Cemetery drew criticism and protests from various groups, especially those who suffered during the period of martial law under Marcos’ rule.
For additional context, some historians argue that Marcos played a significant role in the Battle of Bataan during World War II. This claim, however, has been widely criticized and discredited as many allege that Marcos misled the public about his wartime military service. As a result, the decision to bury him at a site reserved for national heroes remains a highly contested issue in the Philippines.
In summary, the burial of former Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos at the Heroes’ Cemetery was a long-standing debate before being realized in 2016 under President Duterte’s orders. The events surrounding his burial and the historical context that influenced the controversy highlight the ongoing discussions about the legacy of Ferdinand Marcos’ presidency and the martial law period in the Philippines.