01/11/2022
Libingan ng mga Bayani (Heroes’ Cemetery)
📍Bayani Road Fort Bonifacio,Taguig City
Libingan ng mga Bayani was initially known as Republic Memorial Cemetery
Established in 1947, Libingan ng mga Bayani was first known as the Republic Memorial Cemetery. It was established by the Philippine government to commemorate the lives of the fallen Filipino soldiers who fought in World War II.
Its existence was in accordance with Republic Act 289, which provides for “the construction of a national pantheon for presidents of the Philippines, national heroes, and patriots of the country.”
The law, signed by President Elpidio Quirino, states that the cemetery is supposed to commemorate the presidents, national heroes, and patriots, “for the inspiration and emulation of this generation and of generations still unborn.”
The initial construction was given a funding of at least P1 million.
In 1954, then president Ramon Magsaysay “rededicated and renamed” the cemetery into what it is now known: Libingan ng mga Bayani.
Marcos, through Proclamation Number 208 in 1967, reserved 142 hectares from the Fort Bonifacio Military Reserve for the future expansion of the Libingan ng mga Bayani.
According to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), which holds and oversees the property, there are specific guidelines that state who exactly can be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.
Based on the The Allocation of Cemetery Plots at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, the following can be interred at the cemetery:
Medal of Valor awardees
Presidents or commander-in-chief, AFP
Secretaries of national defense
AFP chiefs of staff
Generals/flag officers of the AFP
Active and retired military personnel of the AFP (including active draftees and trainees who died in line of duty, and active reservists and CAFGU Active Auxiliary who died in combat-related activities)
Former members of the AFP who laterally entered or joined the Philippine Coast Guard and the Philippine National Police
Veterans of Philippine Revolution of 1890, World War I, World War II, and recognized guerrillas
Government dignitaries, statesmen, national artists and other deceased persons whose interment and re-interment has been approved by the commander-in-chief, Congress, or the secretary of national defense
Former presidents, secretaries of defense, dignitaries, statesmen, national artists, widows of former presidents, secretaries of national defense, and chief of staff
Worth noting is AFP Regulations G 161-375, which says the prohibition of interment applies to “those who have been dishonorably discharged from service or personnel convicted of an offense involving moral turpitude.”
Executive Order No. 131, signed by then president Fidel V. Ramos in 1993, allowed for state burial and funeral of national artists and scientists of the Philippines.
Final resting place of more than 49,000 Filipinos
The 103-hectare cemetery, located in Taguig City, currently houses the remains of more than 49,000 Filipino soldiers, statesmen, heroes, and martyrs.
A specific number of grave sites is also allocated to individuals who are qualified to be buried in the cemetery.
According to the AFP, the allocations for each position are as follows:
46 allocated grave sites for presidents
94 plots for secretaries of national defense, government dignitaries, and statesmen
133 for the AFP chiefs of staff
118 for Medal of Valor awardees
183 for other generals and flag officers
5,334 for World War II veterans
1,375 for national artists and scientists
The remaining grave sites, meanwhile, are designated for retired AFP personnel and veterans.
Source: https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/144587-fast-facts-libingan-ng-mga-bayani/
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