Human Rights activists Saturnino Ocampo and Bonifacio Ilagan, among others, filed a petition in the Supreme Court of the Philippines [official website] Monday to exhume the body of Ferdinand Marcos from the Heroes’ Cemetery, usually reserved for public servants and national artists. The former dictator was buried in a secret ceremony [AP report] last Friday after the Supreme Court ruled [JURIST report], amid public outcry, that such burial was permissible. The petition has been brought on behalf of multiple groups of victims who suffered human rights violations during his rule and who claim that final appeals on the Supreme Court decision allowing the burial had not been heard.

The effects of Marcos’ regime have been felt throughout the Philippines [BBC Backgrounder] for years. His burial in the celebrated Heroes’ Cemetery has been contested for months, even though President Rodrigo Duterte approved the controversial burial, recognizing Marcos as a commendable leader entitled to honor. Earlier this month, the Supreme Court justices honored Duterte’s approval by a vote of 9-5 [AP report] with one abstention, acknowledging that the controversial figure was nevertheless a former legislator, defense secretary and soldier deserving of merit. In August human rights victims had filed a petition with the Supreme Court to halt the burial of Marcos [JURIST report]. Petitioners pointed to a 1993 agreement stating that Marcos would be buried in his hometown in northern Ilocos Norte province.