Thousands Call for Return of Marcos’ Body for Burial

Thousands of Ferdinand Marcos loyalists rallied at national police headquarters today after an 11-day march from his home province to demand the return of the deposed president’s body for burial.

President Corazon Aquino has refused, on national security grounds, to allow the return of his body or of his widow, Imelda, and their three children.

Aquino’s vice president, Salvador Laurel, told reporters at the rally that Aquino’s refusal to allow Marcos to be buried in the Philippines is the “worst mistake” of her administration.

An estimated 15,000 protesters assembled at the gates of the Camp Crame headquarters of the Philippine Constabulary, the military national police, and refused orders to disperse by midnight. Their leaders then negotiated an agreement to leave 5 1/2 hours later.

The standoff followed a daylong rally by more than 25,000 people, which capped the 250-mile march by Marcos supporters from Ilocos Norte, his native province.

It was the largest show of support for Marcos since 1986 and occurred on the eve of Aquino’s departure for Canada and the United States, where she hopes to convince businessmen that the Philippines is a stable place to invest.

Marcos had lived in Hawaii since a civilian-military uprising forced him from office.

During the rally, the crowd cheered wildly when Laurel asked: “Do you agree that Marcos’ body must be allowed home?”

“It is now very clear what the people want,” he declared. “You are a very powerful force. The government must follow the peoples’ will. If not, you know what to do.”

Police gave permission for the rally to be held at a traffic circle in suburban Quezon City but refused to let the protesters march to military garrisons.

After the rally, 15,000 marchers defied the order and headed toward Camp Crame, across a major highway from armed forces headquarters and the Defense Department.

About 200 police blocked the street leading to the camp, but protesters pushed through police lines and swarmed around the gates.

Reporters saw some riot police raising fingers in the “V” sign, symbol of the Marcos movement. Marcos supporters chanted, “Thank you! Thank you!” to the officers.

In a statement broadcast by pro-Marcos radio station DZEC, the late president’s son, Bongo, said the demonstration was a reaction to the “arrogance of the Aquino administration.”

“I congratulate the marchers for their steadfast and courageous actions,” the statement said. “You show to the world although we are a moderate, patient people, we Filipinos will not compromise principles.”