Southland’s Filipino Community Remains Split Over Marcos

In exile, Ferdinand E. Marcos split Southern California’s Filipino community, leaving it bitterly divided over his efforts to return to his native country. In the hours after his death, there were sorrowful reactions from fellow expatriates--and a clear sign that the Marcos controversy has not ended.

“My initial reaction is sadness,” Rolando B. Fernandez, president of the Filipino-American Community of Los Angeles, known as FACLA, said Thursday. “He was a good man. He was brilliant, and I respect him.”

Los Angeles Municipal Judge Mel Red Recana, another prominent member of the local Filipino community, also had kind words for the former president.

“He is a Filipino, after all. He did things we did not like, but he did good things as well,” Recana said. “This is now a healing period for all of us.”

In Orange County, Huntington Beach internist Remy Almirante said, “a sinister influence has been removed from the face of the earth.” Almirante left her native land after finishing medical school in 1965.

Orange realtor Ramon Alcarez, who served as chief of staff of the Philippines navy and was jailed for a month for allegedly plotting to overthrow Marcos, hoped that the former president’s death would persuade his “fanatical followers” that their cause is hopeless.

Still, Alcarez conceded, “I am grateful for Mr. Marcos.” If Marcos had not forced him to flee the Philippines, Alcarez said, “I would not be here.”

Among Southland Filipinos, the years have seen a closing of the rift between pro- and anti-Marcos factions that had deepened in the wake of his ouster from the Philippine presidency and allegations that he had looted the country’s treasury.

Fernandez said he hopes that Marcos’ death in Honolulu will work to unify his fellow expatriates and not reopen old political wounds. But many of the Filipinos who showed up at an afternoon dance at FACLA’s Los Angeles headquarters not only mourned the death of the man some still revere as their president but also contended that he suffered needlessly.

“As Filipinos, we pray that his sins will be forgiven,” said Nemesio T. Bonoan, president of the Philippine Retirees Assn. of California.

Others in the crowd called the news of Marcos’ death tragic and defended him.

“He was a great president, and he should be allowed to go home,” said Aledria Albano, who was busily circulating a petition among the dancers and card players asking President Corazon Aquino to allow the Marcos family to bury him in the Philippines.

The issue of where Marcos will be buried has galvanized his supporters and others who feel that his body should now be returned to his native country.

And a small group of protesters met Thursday with officials of the Philippine Consulate to press their view that Marcos should return “for the sake of national unity.”