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| Ilocos Norte governor Imee R. Marcos joins the Marcos loyalists camped out at the Supreme Court after the Kailian March (Alaric Yanos) |
Manila—Ilocos Norte governor Ma. Imelda Josefa “Imee” R. Marcos joined the Marcos loyalists in the prayer vigil in front of the Supreme Court.
The prayer vigil is being undertaken as they await the High Tribunal’s decision on the burial of former Pres. Ferdinand E. Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.
The vigil also concluded the “Kailian March” that began in Paoay, Ilocos Norte.
Shouts of "Marcos pa rin! Marcos idi, Marcos ita, Marcos latta!" [Marcos then, Marcos now, Marcos always!] were heard from the supporters throughout the start of the rally.
Ms. Marcos, eldest daughter of the former president, thanked them on behalf of the family, “Nais kong ipahiwatig ang damdamin ng aking pamilya mula sa puso ng aking nanay, [I want to express the feelings of my family, from the heart of my mother] si Congresswoman Imelda Romualdez-Marcos, si Apo Ferdinand ‘BongBong’ Marcos, Irene Marcos-Araneta, lahat ng pamilya ko, nagpapasalamat kami sa lahat na nakikiramay, nakikisama, at nakikisigaw dito sa [all of my family members thank all of you for being here at the] Supreme Court.
She further thanked those who took part in and carried out the “#IlibingNa” signature campaign which was able to gather over 1.6 million signatures, as well as President Rodrigo R. Duterte, who has been vocal about being for FM’s burial since the presidential campaign period and who had been in Ilocos Norte for the launch of the “Kailian March”.
The March kicked off through unity masses held at the San Agustin Church in Paoay and the St. John the Baptist Parish Church in Badoc.
They arrived in San Fernando City, La Union at 2:30am the following day, holding a mass at the Tomb of the Unknown Solder to honor soldier of the Second World War whose remains were never identified nor found.
Mariano R. Marcos, father of the late president, was one such soldier.
Upon arriving at the neighboring Province of Pangasinan, more Marcos supporters met and united with the convoy.
A mass and candle-lighting ceremony were then held at Villasis in Pangasinan “to show our support to the forthcoming burial of our President Ferdinand E. Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, and in recognition to his great contribution to the people of Pangasinan," Philip Terry, coordinator of Bayanihan Bayan Movers Pangasinan Organization of Genuine Inhabitants (BBM-POGI).
Participants reported heightened security and military escorts as they approached the boundary between Pangasinan and Tarlac, and the group rerouted straight to Clark, Pampanga, to bypass Hacienda Luisita, where alleged troublemakers were reported to have been waiting.
While intending to hold masses in Pampanga and Bulacan, heavy rain and strong winds from typhoon Karen [Sarika] resulted in the cancellation of these activities to avoid compromising the safety of local residents who had wanted to attend.
The convoy arrived in Metro Manila at around 5:00pm October 16.
"Kaunting [a few] volunteers lang ang nag-umpisa ng [started the] Kailian March hanggang ito'y dumami nang dumami [until the numbers swelled]," shared Domingo Ambrocio, president of the Philippine Councilors League−Ilocos Norte Chapter.
Neil Joaz Lagundino of the Sirib Ilokano Kabataan Association (SIKA) shared at today's program, "Sa haba ng aming paglalakbay, sana sa pamamagitan ng aming hirap at pagdarasal ay maipagkaloob na ang kapayapaan sa ating bansa. [Hopefully, our long journey and through our hardship and prayers, we will attain peace in our country]."
Ms. Marcos also echoed pro-libing [burial] citizens' call for unity, "Nagmamakaawa tayo sa ating [We are begging our] Supreme Court na sana buksan ang kalooban at kaisipan sa katotohanan na ito ay isang pagkakataon upang mapawi ang hidwaan, alitan, at away-away sa ating lipunan [we hope they open their hearts and minds to the truth that this is an opportunity to erase rivalries, quarrels and conflicts in our society]”. (PGIN-CMO)