#SuggestANewNameForLNMB: Should We Rename the Libingan ng mga Bayani?

Wazzup Pilipinas!

"The etymology of “hero” and “bayani” is a warrior who protects or defends his people."

Since President Rody Duterte gave the Marcos family the go signal for the interment of the late Pres. Ferdinand Emmanuel E. Marcos at the Libingan Ng Mga Bayani (LNMB), many have expressed opposition to the forthcoming move.

Some are saying preventing Marcos's burial at the LNMB continues to divide our country.

They were saying that LNMB is not really for heroes. It is simply a war memorial, a cemetery for our deceased military officers. However, the National Historical Commission clearly states why one should not be laid to rest there. On the other hand, the Supreme Court is already conducting oral arguments on the burial.

Martial Law victims and politicians, who themselves were either victims or activists during the country’s dark era urged the President to withdraw his decision that favors the Marcos family.

Vice President Leni Robredo said the name of the heroes' cemetery should denote who should be buried there. "Was he an exemplary Filipino who gave his life, who sacrificed so much for our country?"

We would be the laughing stock of the entire planet," said Senator Risa Hontiveros, who actively attends rallies and movements denouncing plans to bury Marcos' in LNMB.

Millenials pointed out that the deposed dictator is disqualified from being buried at the Heroes’ Cemetery because he falls under the category of those “dishonorably separated or discharged from the service.” A fake hero does not deserve a place among the past presidents.

Would you agree instead in renaming the cemetery to something else other a heroes final resting place, so that we can finally bury the dictator there?

Hhhmmm... will that even work? I think it would only benefit the Marcos loyalists and supporters, and not the majority of the Filipinos, especially the relatives and families of Martial Law victims.

Are we going to ask the people to pitch an alternative name for the LNMB so it will be fit to take in even a known despot, plundered and offender or human rights?

#SuggestANewNameForLNMB will be the new hashtag and would crowd-source the masses. There might be great ideas from social media, especially Twitter and Facebook. The netizens might even accompany their suggestions with appropriate images or photos - may they be humorous or satirical.

An associate justice of the Supreme Court earlier pointed out that not all those buried at the LNMB were heroes but were mostly soldiers and war veterans. He does not consider them as heroes? Should we stress out to him that even though Marcos was both, he remains a criminal in the eyes of majority of the Filipinos.

Duterte also said the law covering interment in LNMB does not include a ban on despots. "As a former soldier and former president of the Philippines, I see nothing wrong in having Marcos buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani," Duterte said. "I will allow Marcos burial in Libingan ng Mga Bayani, not because he was a hero but because he was a Filipino soldier" he adds.

It was in the news that showed over 4,000 rallyists calling for unity and marching from Roxas Boulevard to the Supreme Court, rallying for the body of former Philippine President to be laid to rest at the LNMB.

Bongbong Marcos has said that plans are ongoing to ensure the transfer of his father’s remains by September (18) which is his birth month.

"Verily, the Libingan ng mga Bayani is the hallowed graveyard for heroes and patriots, not of despots and plunderers. Heroes eternally rest in the people's embrace and admiration, while villains forever agonize in disgrace." - Rep. Edcel Lagman