Marcos clan gave AFP short notice on LNMB burial of former president

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 18): Marcos clan gave AFP short notice on LNMB burial of former president

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said the Marcos clan gave them short notice when they had decided to go ahead with the interment of former president Ferdinand E. Marcos at the "Libingan Ng Mga Bayani" (LNMB) in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, on Friday.

The body of the late strongman was airlifted from Laoag City via military helicopter around 9 a.m.
The body arrived at the LNMB around 10:45 a.m. with the interment proceeding already completed at 12: 45 p.m.

AFP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said arrival honors for the former president, who died in 1989, or 27 years ago, was done until the remains were taken to his alloted area at the Presidential Section of the LNMB.

"... the honor that went on this morning included the arrival honors immediately after the remains of the late president arrived at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, the remains were borne in a woven coffin, brown in color and ... was drawn by a horse when it was brought to the entombment area, followed by a march of all the mourners and those who were attending," Padilla said.

"Following the march to the interment area, the remains were carried to the interment area that was reserved for the late president. The entombment area must conform to a set of standards that are provided for by the LNMB authorities so that uniformity will be adhered," he added.

Padilla said the last rites were heard and led by a military chief chaplain and appropriate final honors were rendered which included a 21-gun salute, as the remains were brought to the entombment area and before it was laid or lowered to the entombment place, the last taps and the volley of fire was heard.

The latter is a final salute to any soldier who is laid to rest, he added.

"So those who paid their last respects did their part. Immediately after that, after the flag was given to the next of kin and in this case our acting chief-of-staff, Lt. Gen. Glorioso Miranda handed the flag to the widow, the former First Lady Imelda Marcos," he said.

Padilla said a big portion of Marcos' tomb was already constructed before the Supreme Court (SC) released the status quo order.

"There was a cauldron with flame. It was a simple entombment area with a marble finish," he pointed out.
About a hundred people, Miranda and PNP chief Director General Ronald Dela Rosa, were also present during the activity.

"It was the wish of the Marcos family to keep the burial secret," Padilla said.

"The AFP did not decide on making this a no media event. We just complied with the desire of the family," he said.

For her part, Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos said that it was the wish of his late father to be buried at the LNMB.

She also thanked President Rodrigo Duterte for allowing the burial to take place and the SC who upheld the decision.

"Finally, on this day, the wish of my beloved father, the late President Ferdinand Marcos to be buried together with fellow soldiers, was finally fulfilled."

"Me and my family wholeheartedly thanked those who have proven his right to be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. First and foremost, to President Duterte who suggested this, to the Supreme Court who upheld the decision and the thousands who showed their love and care for my family," Imee said.

"You were together with us who dreamt and prayed in almost three decades that this day will come. That's why I'm asking for an apology and understanding for our decision to make the burial of my father simple, private and solemn so that those who are hurting will further not be affected," she added.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=941261