MANILA, Philippines – Never forget indeed.

Filipinos from different groups united on Saturday, November 18, to slam the late dictator and former president Ferdinand Marcos, a year after he was stealthily buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (LNMB).

The country recognizes the LNMB as its heroes’ cemetery — a place that many Filipinos believe is not for a dictator like Marcos. (TIMELINE: The Marcos burial controversy)

Officials, non-governmental organizations, and netizens aired their views on this issue through tweets or statements using the hashtags #NeverAgain and #NeverForget.

The fight against the Marcos hero's burial, historical revisionism, and for justice for all victims of Martial Law should be linked to the broader struggle against authoritarianism, state fascism, and for justice for all victims of state violence. #MarcosNoHero #NeverForget

— #MarcosNoHero #NeverForget (@campus_journo) November 18, 2017

A year ago today, Marcos was buried at the Libingan ng Mga Bayani.

Honors undeserved do not transform the undeserving.

NOT. A. HERO.

— florin hilbay (@fthilbay) November 18, 2017

Beyond desktops and mobile applications, protesters also took their appeal outside the LNMB’s gates, bringing shovels with them as they called for Marcos’ exhumation.

“We gather once again to remind this regime and its enablers that we will never grow tired of taking to the streets until Marcos’ remains – and all the horrors of dictatorship that he symbolizes – are exhumed from the Libingan ng mga Bayani,” anti-Marcos Block Marcos group said in their statement as they led the demonstration.

The group was referring to Marcos decade-long military rule in the Philippines, which was marred by allegations of human rights violations, corruption, and abuse of power.

The Marcos family has repeatedly denied such claims as they worked on a political revival in the country which once forced them into exile.

Minority senators hit ‘false hero’

In government, minority senators led critics in slamming Marcos’ interment.

“While a false hero was being buried at the Heroes’ Cemetery, true heroes were rising to the challenge and making their voices heard. All across the country, we saw the power of a people who never forgot the truth about this dictator,” their statement read.

Supporters of the Marcos family, as expected, countered the indignation with calls to “move on” then focus on the country’s current problems.

Some 45 years ever after Marcos’ declaration of Martial Law, the country continues to struggle in facing poverty and alleged human rights violations.

And again, as critics have repeatedly pointed out, the Philippines is once more led by a strongman in the person of President Rodrigo Duterte. – Rappler.com