Libingan ng mga Bayani
Encyclopedia
is a national cemetery
within Fort Bonifacio
(formerly known as Fort McKinley) in Taguig City
, Metro Manila
in the Philippines
. It was established as a fitting resting place for Filipino military personnel from privates to generals, as well as hero
es and martyr
s. Among those buried in the cemetery are most of the defenders of Bataan
, Corregidor
, and other Battlefields by Allied recaptured for the Liberation
of the Philippines
during World War II
. It also contains the national Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
. It is established as the Filipino counterpart to Manila American Cemetery and Memorial
which houses the remains of United States
personnel that died in World War II.
It was first established on May 1947 as the Republic Memorial Cemetery. It was then renamed to its current name on October 27, 1954 by President Ramon Magsaysay
.
Former Philippine presidents Carlos P. Garcia
and Diosdado Macapagal
, Former Vice President Arturo Tolentino
and Salvador H. Laurel, National Hero General Artemio Ricarte
and Carlos P. Romulo
are also buried in the cemetery.
On the cemetery's entrance it is written: "I do not know the dignity of his birth, but I do know the glory of his death."
In 2006, the Libingan ng mga Bayani (LNMB) council started exploring alternative sites for Libingan annexes in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Only one has been completed so far, the P24-million, five-hectare Libingan extension at Camp Hernandez in Dingle
, Iloilo.
According to the AFP Regulations, there are 10 categories of deceased persons who entitled to be interred at the LNMB:
Disqualifications:
In 2011, Cagayan Rep. Jack Enrile filed House Bill 4876 which seeks for alloting 25 percent of Libingan ng mga Bayani for its development as the site of the National Pantheon. Further, he stated that AFP Regulations G 161-373 provides that deceased commanders-in-chief are entitled to be interred there.
The responsibilities of the Board consist:
Cemetery
A cemetery is a place in which dead bodies and cremated remains are buried. The term "cemetery" implies that the land is specifically designated as a burying ground. Cemeteries in the Western world are where the final ceremonies of death are observed...
within Fort Bonifacio
Fort Bonifacio
Fort Bonifacio is a highly urbanized district in Taguig City, Metro Manila, Philippines. The district is named after the main Philippine Army camp in Metro Manila, Fort Andres Bonifacio, which in turn was named after the famous Philippine revolutionary hero Andres Bonifacio...
(formerly known as Fort McKinley) in Taguig City
Taguig City
Taguig is a city in Metro Manila in the Philippines. From a thriving fishing community along the shores of Laguna de Bay, it is now an important residential, commercial and industrial center...
, Metro Manila
Metro Manila
Metropolitan Manila , the National Capital Region , or simply Metro Manila, is the metropolitan region encompassing the City of Manila and its surrounding areas in the Philippines...
in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. It was established as a fitting resting place for Filipino military personnel from privates to generals, as well as hero
Hero
A hero , in Greek mythology and folklore, was originally a demigod, their cult being one of the most distinctive features of ancient Greek religion...
es and martyr
Martyr
A martyr is somebody who suffers persecution and death for refusing to renounce, or accept, a belief or cause, usually religious.-Meaning:...
s. Among those buried in the cemetery are most of the defenders of Bataan
Bataan
Bataan is a province of the Philippines occupying the whole of the Bataan Peninsula on Luzon. The province is part of the Central Luzon region. The capital of Bataan is Balanga City and it is bordered by the provinces of Zambales and Pampanga to the north...
, Corregidor
Corregidor
Corregidor Island, locally called Isla ng Corregidor, is a lofty island located at the entrance of Manila Bay in southwestern part of Luzon Island in the Philippines. Due to this location, Corregidor was fortified with several coastal artillery and ammunition magazines to defend the entrance of...
, and other Battlefields by Allied recaptured for the Liberation
Philippines campaign (1944-45)
The Philippines campaign of 1944–45, the Battle of the Philippines 1944–45, or the Liberation of the Philippines was the American and Filipino campaign to defeat and expel the Imperial Japanese forces occupying the Philippines, during World War II. The Japanese Army had overrun all of the...
of the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. It also contains the national Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier refers to a grave in which the unidentifiable remains of a soldier are interred. Such tombs can be found in many nations and are usually high-profile national monuments. Throughout history, many soldiers have died in wars without their remains being identified...
. It is established as the Filipino counterpart to Manila American Cemetery and Memorial
Manila American Cemetery and Memorial
The Manila American Cemetery and Memorial is located in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City in Metro Manila, Philippines.The cemetery, or 615,000 square metres in area, is located on a prominent plateau, visible at a distance from the east, south and west. With a total of 17,206 graves, it is the largest...
which houses the remains of United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
personnel that died in World War II.
It was first established on May 1947 as the Republic Memorial Cemetery. It was then renamed to its current name on October 27, 1954 by President Ramon Magsaysay
Ramon Magsaysay
Ramón del Fierro Magsaysay was the third President of the Republic of the Philippines from December 30, 1953 until his death in a plane crash in 1957. He was elected President under the banner of the Nacionalista Party.-Early life:Ramon F...
.
Former Philippine presidents Carlos P. Garcia
Carlos P. Garcia
Carlos Polistico García was a Filipino teacher, poet, orator, lawyer, public official, political economist and guerrilla leader...
and Diosdado Macapagal
Diosdado Macapagal
Diosdado Pangan Macapagal was the ninth President of the Philippines, serving from 1961 to 1965, and the sixth Vice President, serving from 1957 to 1961. He also served as a member of the House of Representatives, and headed the Constitutional Convention of 1970...
, Former Vice President Arturo Tolentino
Arturo Tolentino
Arturo Modesto Tolentino was a prominent political figure in the Philippines who briefly held the position of vice president in 1986. He is more well known as the father of the Philippine “archipelagic doctrine” and expert on the Law of the Sea.-Early career:Arturo M. Tolentino was born in Manila...
and Salvador H. Laurel, National Hero General Artemio Ricarte
Artemio Ricarte
Artemio Ricarte y Garcia was a Filipino general during the Philippine Revolution and the Philippine-American War. He is considered by the Armed Forces of the Philippines as the "Father of the Philippine Army"...
and Carlos P. Romulo
Carlos P. Rómulo
Carlos Peña Rómulo was a Filipino diplomat, politician, soldier, journalist and author. He was a reporter at 16, a newspaper editor by the age of 20, and a publisher at 32...
are also buried in the cemetery.
On the cemetery's entrance it is written: "I do not know the dignity of his birth, but I do know the glory of his death."
In 2006, the Libingan ng mga Bayani (LNMB) council started exploring alternative sites for Libingan annexes in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Only one has been completed so far, the P24-million, five-hectare Libingan extension at Camp Hernandez in Dingle
Dingle, Iloilo
--Dingle is a 3rd Class municipality in the province of Iloilo, Philippines.-History:Dingle started as a pre-colonial settlement of Sumandig, which was under the jurisdiction of Simsiman, a pueblo of Laglag, now known as Dueñas. The settlement was also known as Sibucao, Ba-ong and Orvat. The...
, Iloilo.
Allocation of Cemetery Plots at the LNMB
AFP Regulations G 161-373 or The Allocation of Cemetery Plots at the LNMB was issued on 9 April 1986 by former AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Fidel V Ramos and former Corazon C. Aquino.According to the AFP Regulations, there are 10 categories of deceased persons who entitled to be interred at the LNMB:
- Medal of Valor Awardees
- The President of the Philippines as the Commander-in-Chief of AFP
- The Secretary of National Defense
- The Chief of Staff of AFP
- General/Flag Officers of the AFP
- Active and retired military personnel of the AFP
- Former AFP members who laterally entered/joined the Philippine National Police and the Philippine Coast Guard
- Veterans of Philippine Revolution of 1896, First World War, and World War II, as well as recognized guerrillas
- Government Dignitaries, Statesmen, National Artists and other deceased persons whose interment or re-interment has been approved by the Commander-in-Chief, Congress, or the Secretary of National Defense.
- Former Presidents, former Secretaries of National Defense, widows of former Presidents, and former Chiefs of Staff.
Disqualifications:
- Personnel who were dishonorably separated, reverted, and/or discharged from the service
- Authorized personnel who were convicted by final judgment of an offense involving moral turpitude
- Corrupt officials
National Pantheon for Presidents of the Philippines
Republic Act 289 or An Act Providing for the Construction of a National Pantheon for Presidents of the Philippines, National Heroes, and Patriots of the Country created the Board on National Pantheon. The law was enacted on 16 June 1948. However, such facility has never erected.In 2011, Cagayan Rep. Jack Enrile filed House Bill 4876 which seeks for alloting 25 percent of Libingan ng mga Bayani for its development as the site of the National Pantheon. Further, he stated that AFP Regulations G 161-373 provides that deceased commanders-in-chief are entitled to be interred there.
Board on National Pantheon
The Board on National Pantheon was created and conceived to consist of:- Secretary of the Interior and Local Government (previously Secretary of the Interior)
- Secretary of Public Works and Highways (previously Secretary of Public Works and Communications)
- Secretary of Education
- two representatives from the private sector appointed by the President
The responsibilities of the Board consist:
- to determine the location of the National Pantheon
- to supervise its construction including the monuments, mausoleums, or tombs
- to make the location accessible by road
External links
- Official webpage from the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office
- Romulo D. Quemado II , Corps Notes, Philippine Marine Corps (archived from the original on 2008-02-13) (coordinates)