MANILA - The Marcos family on Friday thanked and apologized to their supporters following the late President Ferdinand Marcos' burial in hushed rites at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (LNMB) in Taguig City.

"Sa wakas, napatupad sa araw na ito ang huling habilin ng aking minamahal na ama, ang dating pangulong Ferdinand Marcos na maihimlay kasama ng mga kapwa sundalo," eldest daughter Imee told a press conference at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.

(Finally, it has been done today. The wish of my beloved father, former president Ferdinand Marcos, to rest alongside his comrades, has come true).

Marcos was hurriedly buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani or Heroes' Cemetery on Friday, while thousands who suffered under his two-decade-long rule continued to cry for justice.

• READ: No order prohibiting Marcos burial: SC spokesman

Former First Lady Imelda Marcos, wearing a black terno, clutched a rosary, as soldiers carrying his wooden casket marched slowly to Mr. Marcos' grave, a video released by the family showed. The ceremonies were closed to the public.

The late president's children all wore white. His only living sibling, Fortuna Marcos-Barba, watched the burial from her wheelchair, according to footage from Imee's Facebook page.

Imee said the family was extremely grateful to President Rodrigo Duterte, who suggested Marcos' burial at the LNMB, and to the Supreme Court, who heeded Duterte's wish, in a 9 to 5 majority decision.

Imee also apologized to Marcos' supporters who wanted to join the funeral rites but were not able to.

"Hindi man namin kayo kasama ngayon, hinding hindi namin malilimutan ang inyong pagmamalasakit at matinding sakripisyo upang mapatupad ang makasaysayang pagtitipon na ito," she said.

(Though you are not with us in today, we will not forget your sacrifices in helping us achieve this historic moment.)

Imee said the family had waited for this day for three decades, and apologized for keeping the event private.

"Sa libo libong nagmahal at nagmamalasakit sa aming pamilya, kasama namin kayong nangarap at nanalangin sa halos tatlong dekada na makita ang araw na ito kaya naman ako ay humihingi ng dispensa at pag-unawa na lamang ninyo sa naging pasya ng aking pamilya na gawing payak, pribado at taimtim ang paglibing sa aking ama," Imee said.