MANILA – Military honors will be given to the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos during his burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (LNMB), the Philippine Army said.

The Philippine Army said it has already received the directive for the interment of the late strongman at the said cemetery.

''Based on the directive, the Army is required to provide vigil, bugler/drummer, firing party, military host/pallbearers, escort and transportation, and arrival and departure honors,'' the Army said in a statement.

''The Philippine Army has designated a protocol officer to make lateral coordination with the family of the late former President Marcos on the details of the internment plan," it added.

President Rodrigo Duterte remained defiant in the face of mounting criticisms over his decision to allow a Marcos interment at the heroes' cemetery.

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Duterte said Marcos was a former president and soldier, even if he was not a hero. He said this makes him qualified to be buried at the LNMB.

"The law is there existing. You read it a thousand times and you still arrive at a conclusion that he is qualified. Even if he is not a hero, he was a soldier," he said.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) guidelines allow former soldiers to be buried at the LNMB.

The Palace yesterday said no date has been set yet for Marcos' burial.

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