Duterte: Marcos burial protesters can rally 'for as long as they want’

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte said he would allow rallyists to stage massive street protests against the burial of the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos “for as long as they want, with no time limit.”

"The protesters will neither need—hindi na kailangan—to secure rally permits or being in fear of being evicted," said Duterte at a midnight press conference on Thursday in Davao.

The hasty interment of Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani on November 18 triggered widespread protests three decades following the late president’s ouster.

Various groups vowed to mobilize members to hold massive street protests upon Duterte’s return to the country from the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders' Meeting in Lima, Peru.

"While your protest actions are being staged, our military forces will remain and be confined in their camps. They are restricted to be there in their proper places," Duterte said.

The president noted that there will still be “a lean number of police personnel” to conduct traffic enforcement and other basic public policy standards. He ordered police forces not to carry long firearms.

Addressing the anti-Marcos protesters, Duterte assured them that their right to assemble in any public place will be protected.

“As your president you have my word and you have that commitment," he said.

Despite the outcry over the burial of the late dictator, Duterte stood by his decision and even challenged organizers of planned massive protests.

He even vowed to step down from the presidency if they could prove that Marcos had not been a president or soldier, two of the grounds for allowing a Libingan burial. ?— Kristine Daguno-Bersamina