Exclusive by Raïssa Robles
The Armed Forces of the Philippines and its Commander-in-Chief Rodrigo Duterte have just honored the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos with a hero’s burial.
The Marcoses probably think that by burying what’s left of the dictator’s cadaver in the Heroes’ Cemetery (Libingan ng mga Bayani), they can alter reality and manufacture a hero.
UPDATE: I wish to inform everyone that Facebook has barred me from posting any link to this website or any other site from my Facebook community page – https://www.facebook.com/raissawriter/.
By the way, my Facebook Community page is “verified” by Facebook.
But you can all share the link.
What the Marcoses forget is that there is a long, long trail of verifiable documents showing otherwise.
My book Marcos Martial Law: Never Again, uncovers part of this trail. But 268 pages is not enough to show everything.
And so, I promise the Filipino people that I will share what else I found.
For starters, I have verified – using documents that came from Ferdinand Marcos himself – that Marcos used his guerrilla code name during World War II in order to open secret Swiss bank accounts in the late 1960s.
Let me narrate how I stumbled on this truth. Not the Marcos truth. But the real, verifiable truth.
In 1986, after the Marcoses fled, I decided to leave Business Day because I wanted to cover the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG). My colleague, Mon Isberto, was covering it for Business Day and since he was a more senior reporter, there was no chance in hell I would get the beat.
And so I went to the Manila Chronicle to cover that beat. I wanted that beat because earlier I had seen for myself how the Marcoses lived in Malacañang. I was able to get inside Malacañang the very next day that they fled.
I was very curious to know all about the efforts of the new government of Corazon Aquino to recover all their loot.
The first pieces of evidence of the Marcoses’ Swiss loot came from Malacañang Palace itself. The Marcoses had simply forgotten – in their panic to flee – several boxes of documents which were turned over to the newly-created Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG).
Among the papers Ferdinand Marcos happened to leave were the ones below, opening a secret account in Credit Suisse (the Swiss Credit Bank). Please note that I have placed my blog watermark in order to indicate that these documents came from me and I can vouch for their authenticity since I gathered them myself as a reporter:
Below is portion of another document:
The Philippine government verified the genuineness of these documents:
- When Marcos was in Hawaii and he demanded them back;
- When the Philippine government submitted the papers to the Swiss Federal Court, and after many many years Credit Suisse reluctantly told the Court they were authentic;
- These documents formed part of the evidence that made the Swiss Federal Court conclude that the money hidden in Swiss accounts by the Marcoses were “of criminal origin“.
You can read for yourself the press release on the matter issued by the Swiss Federal Department of Justice and Police by clicking here
And in case you are interested, I personally asked Senator Bongbong Marcos about those secret Swiss bank accounts during a 2011 press forum of the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines.
You can read his replies in my story ( I took his photo myself) –
Senator Bongbong Marcos confirmed he had a direct hand in trying to withdraw US$213M from a Swiss bank in 1986 >
Senator Bongbong has never denied what I had written. Deadma lang (he just ignored them).
When I first wrote about Marcos’ Swiss bank accounts I did not know why he had chosen the alias “William Saunders”.
It was only a year ago when I stumbled on an online post by Charlie Avila, saying that William Saunders was the name Marcos had used as an intelligence officer during World War II. Beyond that, I could not verify what Charlie Avila had written.
This summer when I was doing research for my book, I finally stumbled on the evidence to verify what Charlie Avila had written.
And the EVIDENCE CAME FROM MARCOS HIMSELF! 
On page 289 of his authorized official biography by Hartzell Spence, is the phrase in the first full paragraph saying –
“Marcos, then operating under the nom de guerre Major Saunders, happened to enter the headquarters and, with apologies, released the victims.”
The Marcos children, Bongbong and Imee, have always feigned ignorance about those secret Swiss bank accounts opened by their parents.
In the next post, I will show that they have not been honest with the Filipino people over the Swiss accounts – which the Swiss Federal Court has long ruled – were “of criminal origin”.
Today, the Armed Forces of the Philippines under its Commander-in-Chief, President Rodrigo Duterte, has chosen to honor a thief.
What message does that send to Filipinos?
Mel says
Nasaan ang Libingan Ng Mga Bayani Laban Diktador?
Mahina si ex-P Noy, hindi binigyan ng kabulohan ang sakripisyo sa pagkapatay sa amang si Ninoy … at tulad nina Edgar Jopson, atbp. Kasama na si Ninoy Aquino sana sa Libingan Ng Mga Bayani Laban Diktador.
—
Bully-fake hero and the real heroes who fought him,
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/149508/149508
Mel says
Former President Noy Aquino’s response to today’s blitzkrieg Marcos burial at the LNMB?
Noy: Martial law victims should never be forgotten, http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/11/18/16/noy-martial-law-victims-should-never-be-forgotten
What about the heroes, heroines who fought the Dictator during and after the Marcos Martial Law Regime? Where are they honored today? What are their names?
The Philippines have today a fallen Dictator interred in its Heroes’ Cemetery.
Was Ninoy Aquino a hero? He maybe … WAS? Jose “Pepe” Wright Diokno? Student leader Edgar Jopson? What about Jose Burgos Jr.? They were?
tsk tsk tsk. Weather whether na lang bah, ngayon? For the millennials?
Is surviving Fidel V Ramos a hero? Or ‘alleged’ plunderer (on bail) Juan Ponce Enrile a hero? Or Gringo Honasan a mutineer hero? Do we also include ethnic, ideologue rebels (moros [N Misuari], communists [JM Sison]) as heroes who were also against the Dictator?
If Noy continues to be laid back, in two years time – he is yesterday’s news, a bygone. Digong could be another dictator, by then. A would-be recycled ‘hero’, in progress?
moonie says
anyhow, I’m surprised makoy’s other daughter, grace poe, was not invited. I did not see her among the marcoses.
moonie says
I think, the fight in noynoy aquino is gone, parang pagod na siya and has nothing more to give. he has given his all yata, and if noynoy’s all is not enough for us, ought we not look at others who can give more and fuller? nagsalita si noynoy, hindi naman pinakinggan lalo na ng korte suprema, ang candidate niya hindi binuto, ang pakisabi niya, binalewala. noynoy has done his part, time now for others to do their parts too. I applaud edcel lagman for speaking up, and many others for speaking up too. and if they’re seen with noynoy aquino, baka babalewalain lang sila. sobrang over exposed na kasi si noynoy and getting to be ubiquitous as mosquito. sorry po.
and to prove na talagang hindi ito away ng dalawang pamilya (marcoses vs aquino), millenials are making moves. it’s their libingan ng mga bayani too, the libingan of their future children. it’s their century, for them to make their point, their voices heard. speak now, or be silent forever.
The Observer says
I agree with Noynoy that he lets other Martial Law victims’ voices be heard. I think it is a smart move for him and his family. This will also show that the fight is not only between Marcos and their families.
Ancient Mariner says
What is inside the coffing buried at LNMB?
It appears that whilst the coffin was being lowered into the grave some reporters were standing beside the original waxwork of Marcos in its glass case in Ilocos.
So the deception has been continuous since the death of Marcos. The body which was worshiped by so many is but a wax image. We are surely not surprised.
The big question is obviously, “What is inside the coffin and where did it come from?”
A final word. None of this could have happened without input from Duterte. Duterte the puppet.
Stay safe Raissa and Alan.
Mel says
While a Blitzkrieg Marcos burial at LNMB, Tourists line up in mausoleum, dismayed that only Marcos wax left, http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/11/18/16/tourists-line-up-in-mausoleum-dismayed-that-only-marcos-wax-left
It was a waxed macoy on display all along. Lahat: Naloko, nagpaloko – mga luku-luko.
Rodrigo Duterte, Pangulo ng kalokohan, Ama at Unang manloloko!
moonie says
here, in raissa’s blog, we know all along it was only wax effigy in the mausoleum, decoy only. the real makoy was consigned to the ground long before, and then exhumed, and the exhumed remains got buried in libingan. many were taken by the decoy, but we here in this blog knew the decoy was wax effigy only. it was the decoy, the better looking one, that marcos’ s admirers come to see and show respect. they were duped and knowingly so.
Mel says
Vindication
You’re right @moonie, mayruon mga kumentong daplis o pa bigkas na ganuon sa mga taon na nagdaan. This recent LNMB burial while he is supposedly still lying in Batac proves that it was just a replica.
Maaring ganuon din ang kuwento ng mga marcoses kay digong. ang ‘wax’ o ‘decoy’ macoy ay pang display lang at nakatago ang tutuong labi ng diktador – mga buto na lang after 27 + years.
Another evidence to prove that the marcoses were never, as always, honest to the filipino people including up to the blitzkrieg LNMB burial. Na ‘gullible’ uli.
Did PDU30 know that it was a replica, wax, or just a mannequin? Did PDU30 based his decision on a hoax or body misrepresentation? O naloko din kaya siya tulad ng nakararami sa pilipinas, sa buong mundo?
Once sequestered Media companies (i.e. ABS CBN) should confront PDU30 if he was aware that it was a wax on display. Was his decision to allow given in ‘goodwill’.
Naive?
It would be nice if he can give an honest answer.
—
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/846426/sc-urged-to-order-exhumation-of-marcos-remains-at-libingan
kalakala says
o baka walang boto boto ang laman ng “baby casket” all are just for a show lamang. kaya sabi ng sc justice na to order exhumation of marcos remains is unhuman daw.
Mel says
Anu iyong kasabihan nah?
Fool me once, shame on you.
Fool me twice, …?
Kaso, many filipinos have been fooled so many times.
When will history repeats itself, again?
netty says
Duterte didn’t know about the burial? He is one lying dirty old man
He showed his big biased concern for this family without any care for the feelings of some of of his twisted 16 million supporters and the rest of the people who abhors deception.
He asked for extension with his drug killings and drug related cleansing as his promise to the people, but he made it fast as a conniving planner in this Marcos burial. He even tainted the reputation of his own SC OR ARE THEY EVEN INNOCENT?
He is one twisted mind.You know where he is focusing his visions now to divert and show that he cares about his people and the West admires him for it?
This man is crazy, I am just sorry that you all have to deal with this maniac. Imagine jumping one propaganda after another when the rest of the country is almost going to kill each other just for his Marcos adoration.
*If they do it often , it’s isn’t a a mistake;
It’s their behavior” DR. M
#This quote applies to all of them#
http://shoebat.com/2016/11/15/philippine-president-declares-to-muslim-terrorists-your-human-rights-are-bullsh_t-i-will-strip-you-of-your-rights-and-slaughter-you-all/
He is just a lying poser.The great pretender.
Jamaica says
Duterte knows the horrors of martial law. It did not matter to him, hence, he allowed marcos to be buried in LNB for three reasons; payback to the marcoses, he idolizes him and he is 1000% convinced that marcos was right in killing filipinos then, just as it is right that he is killing filipinos now. Ang suma total, si Duterte ay bobo, pinersonal ang issue dahil sa pagsamba kay apo at proud at mayabang sa pagpapatuloy ng sinimulan ng kanyang kapwa demonyong diktador. Dapat iparinig kay Duterte na mali si Marcos nuon, mali din sya ngayon.
Padme says
Bingi sya or nagbibingi bingihan dahil sya ay tuta ni marcos..pambayad utang loob nya sa mga marcoses ang pagpplibing sa diktador dahil ikinampanya at sinuportahan sya noong campaign period…mukhang itinaon talagang nasa Peru si Dugong nung minadaling inilibing si Makoy na wax para pgbalik nya, kunwari wala syang kaalam alam sa nangyari…hugas kamay ng konti si Hudas..😉
Mel says
“Facebook has barred me from posting any link to this website… “ – RR
Raïssa, try using ‘shortened URL.’ See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TinyURL for suggestions.
Mel says
FEEDBACK:
If not super slow to access your website, I/We get a message ‘Error establishing a database connection.’
RR’s blogsite is under attack again.
Ancient Mariner says
Do you know why you have been barred? This is most unusual. I don’t recollect seeing any naked bodies in your posts and comments.
Mel says
heh he heh
korteng coke? o bilog nah?
pabiru lang RR.
curveball says
Kahit na ilang ulit ako makakita ng “Error…” tuwing magbubukas ako ng site na ito, di ako titigil.
Balik-balikan ko at di ako magsasawa magbasa ng post mo Ms. RR at ng iba pang nag-post dito.
Mel says
Baka makalimutan ninyo kung sino ang nag aprubado na ilibing ang diktador at magnanakaw sa LNMB, si Presidente Rodrigo Duterte, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Malamang, si DU30 ang susunod na diktador kung magma-ang ma-angan ang henerasyong pangkasalukuyan.
Indignation rallies should be targeted at President Rodrigo Duterte! Sumusunod lang ang PNP at AFP sa utos. He is the next dictator if you will allow it.
—
moonie says
to me, it only meant that supreme court will suppress any motion for recon. sc will restraint any act to the contrary, they have the number and the means.
drill down says
what about duterte?
rOSARIO says
Ilang sundalo ang nagbabantay sa puntod ng #Magnanakaw? Kesa sa PPM People Power Monument mag rally at magpahayag ng disgust suklam, bakit hindi na lang dumiretso sa LNMB, bawat isa may dala ng piko o bala at hukayin ang #MagnanakawDicktador habang hindi pa natutuyo ang semento ng puntod.
Kung sakasakali na magawa ito, gutay gutayin o tunawin ang wax ng #ThiefInTheNight.
Tulad ng kanilang (marcos) kinagawian, no respect for the people, why not give them the same medicine that they (marcoses) have been handing out to the Filipino people and the Philippines?
rOSARIO says
Piko o pala not bala.
Pick and shovel.
Zen says
Doesn’t this name William Saunders figured in Primitivo Mijares Book, The Conjugal Dictatorship on that particualar cheque issued to Mijares as payment to entice him to come home. Correct me if I”m wrong, I am 64 yrs. old.
noname says
Moderation of facebook is outsourced to PH companies. It is said that Disneyland is in control or has influence on these companies.
Raissa, I hope your source could shed some light on this. Thank you.
anon says
Moderation of facebook is outsourced to PH companies. It is said that Disneyland is in control or has influence on these companies.
Raissa, I hope your source could shed some light on this. Thank you.
duquemarino says
The Marcoses buried the dictator at the LNMB as a soldier.
Yes a soldier, soldier of fortune.
Maxima says
True, he was buried in the Libingan ng mga bayani. But as I read it, he was buried, sneakily like a thief–not with their heads up, but with their heads down. The fight is not over yet. He can still be unburied…darating ang Panahon.
Having said that, nanggigil din ako Kay tarantadong Duterte at mga Hangal na SC INjustice members. To all of them and the Marcoses, karma is a bitch. If they think they won and they fooled the people, they know so well themselves that they didn’t, hence they smuggled them the way they did. Ironically, that is not burying him with dignity. As hard as it maybe, let’s try to keep our cool. Kasi tayo mahahigh blood at papangit tayo tapos sila hindi.
Duterte’s young government has been smelling like a very rotten smelly fish, laden with corruption and paving for more. Sandigan bayan has been dismissing corruption charges faster than a speeding bullet. First Gloria and then Binay gets off the corruption. I am sure more will come out of their cells soonest.
Thank you Raissa for your enlightening information.
BTW – if I may share a very minor feedback. My young-ish eyes find it very difficult to read your fonts. Is it possible to have them darker (black or something really dark.) and a few dots bigger? Thank you.
raissa says
I’m trying to change the fonts.
Will try some more.
Thanks.
manilamac says
Low-contrast is a big design rage these days…it really sucks. Especially here trying to type in the comment box.
Good luck w/ your internet hassles…& take care always (though I know you do).
chit navarro says
What a day for the Philippines!!! The SC order is not even final and executory as there is supposed to be a 15-day holding period and there was already a petition filed to reverse their decision. There has been instances in the past that SC has reversed its decision plenty of times especially if the lawyer is named Estelito and a Tan is involved); so there is a great probability that a reversal can happen.
But the Marcoses wanted so much to bury the wax remains in a “military facility”(?) named Libingan ng mga Bayani – does that make him one? And why did they have to do it sneakily and when the President is not around to honor him as a real hero? Di ba pag hero ang inililibing o kaya ex-President, dapat nandoon yong sitting President to give him a hero’s burial or a ceremony befitting its stature? The last one we saw was the great leader of Israel where most heads of state flew in just for the funeral. But the sitting President of the country was NOT even around… what is so important in Peru that he has to leave an ex-President’s burial?
I can not even post in my FB because most of my fellow Ilocanos can not understand why I do not stand for the “greatest Ilokano” DAW!!!!…… in the same manner that these Ilokanos can not understand or REFUSE TO UNDERSTAND the basic fact and truth of the Marcoses’ destruction of the Philippine economy.
My heart cries for what is going on now…. and we pray for you Raissa and Alan – brave souls in a sea of fakes and trolls and sowing fears….. please be very, very careful!!!!
May God bless our country… it’s too much, too soon!!!! And may He open the minds and the hearts of all who make FEM a man of valor… because HE is NOT!
yvonne says
Subscribing.
BarangayCaptain says
Ironically, sitting in the airport in Bangkok last evening, reading your book …. came across the info on Saunders name on the account docs and in his own biography, by Spence. Bingo.
raissa says
I’m glad.
Vivian says
It leaves us in despair and in profound disorientation that this man who allows the burial doesn’t have any respect to the country and to the Filipinos especially the victims of the atrociousness of Martial Law under Marcos dictatorship. A plunderer should not have a place in that grave. This holds true with Imelda, Imee, BBM & Irene who used the loot of Ferdinand Sr. to grease the hand of the president to ease the approval of the 9 justices. The wrong decision will never be right no matter who supported and gives justification to it.
moonie says
it may not only be the hands of digong that got greased, the military also got greased, the soldiers who attended the burial in their full regalia were most likely given ultimate freebies pack (money and kahanga-hangang christmas hamper) to thank them for their efforts. the soldiers sold their loyalty, just like marcos who was soldier, they’re in the same banca: where the money is, they go.
sabi, the military were only told on thursday pm about the burial on friday, pero ang bilis nilang nakapag-organized! by friday midday, handa na sila: in position na sila, in full regalia pa, guns cleaned and ready, well oiled and shiny, cannons for the gun salute firing, dusted at handa na rin. palagay ko, matagal na silang nag-practice sa drill at marching maneuvers pang burial, all they needed was signal to go ahead, the traitors.
soldiers work well and become of one mind when there is freebies! specially now that christmas is coming.