Groups protest Enrile burial at Libingan ng mga Bayani

Several human rights groups and individuals are opposing the burial of former Senator Juan Ponce Enrile at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, asserting he does not deserve a hero's honor due to his role in human rights violations during Martial Law.

Enrile, a prominent figure during Ferdinand Marcos Sr.'s 21-year rule, died on November 13 and was scheduled for burial on November 22.

Victims' groups cite that under Enrile's tenure as defense minister, an estimated 70,000 individuals were illegally detained, 35,000 tortured, 3,000 extrajudicially killed, and at least 700 forcibly disappeared.

These groups further state that Enrile never showed remorse, instead justifying Martial Law and his involvement in the authoritarian regime, while remaining silent on the alleged corruption during that time from which he reportedly benefited.

Despite opposition, statesman and former Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile was laid to rest with full honors at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City on Saturday, November 22, 2025.

His burial site was sealed at 11:53 a.m., following departure honors from the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

The National Union of Peoples' Lawyers stated that conferring hero status on Enrile is part of an effort to 'rehabilitate' his name for his role in martial law atrocities.