Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos is interviewed, 11 march 1985, by Georges Biannic, Agence France Presse regional director for Asia and the Pacific, at Malacanang Palace in Manila. AFP Photo / Romeo Gacad

MANILA – Former President Ferdinand Marcos’ shock internment at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (Heroes’ Cemetery) on Friday showed how he defied the law even in death, a long-time critic said.

Marcos was scheduled to be buried at noon, even before groups who sought to stop the burial could ask the Supreme Court to reverse its decision that allowed it to go ahead.

“We should not be surprised because that’s how Marcos lived, in defiance of the law, illegally and that’s how he will be buried, again in defiance of the law and with his body being snuck in the Libingan ng mga Bayani surrounded by military and police guards,” said lawyer Barry Gutierrez, who represents human rights victims under the Marcos regime.

Gutierrez said the burial would be met with protests.

“It’s high time that the people who will be directly affected by this, the victims of the Marcos dictatorship, will take to the streets and have their voices heard directly to show that this is not right,” he said.