Exclusive - Pres. Duterte's Message To Marcos Burial Protesters: 'Pagpahingahin n'yo na si Marcos. Patay na 'Alam mo, pagpahingahin n'yo na si Marcos. Patay na 'yun,'

On Wednesday President Rodrigo Duterte directed the following remarks to the anti-Marcos protestors: "Alam mo, pagpahingahin n'yo na si Marcos. Patay na 'yun."

The President was urging the public to let the former president and dictator Ferdinand Marcos rest.

These remarks were given in an interview at Camp Evangelista Station Hospital in Cagayan de Oro City.

The statement was directed at the on-going protests against the low-key burial for the former dictator in the Libingan ng mga Bayani. The controversial decision to bury Marcos was approved by the Supreme Court with a vote count of 9-5-1.

The burial sparked outrage among the victims of human rights violations during Martial Law in 1972. Rallies by youth protesters took up arms against the burial of the late dictator.

Last February Duterte said he would allow Marcos' burial while visiting Ilocos Norte during the campaign season.

In August the president authorized this decision because Marcos was a soldier and a president. Duterte believes this qualifies Marcos to be interred at the Heroes' Cemetery