Philippine army will give the late President Marcos military honors.
The Philippine army confirmed they will give military honors to the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos on September at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.
This is after President Rodrigo Duterte confirmed the burial of Marcos’ at the heroes’ cemetery.
On Friday (August 12), Col. Benjamin Hao, spokesperson of the Philippine Army, said the Army had been ordered to provide all necessary military honors to the former president.
Hao said the order was contained in a directive, dated August 9, signed by Rear Admiral Ernesto Enriquez, the Armed Forces of the Philippines Deputy Chief of Staff for Reservist and Retiree Affairs.
It was upon the command of AFP Chief of Staff General Ricardo R Visaya.
Aside from this, the Army was also ordered to provide vigil, a bugler and a drummer, a firing party, military host/pallbearers, escort and transportation, and arrival and departure honors.
Hao said the Army had designated a protocol officer to coordinate with the Marcos family as regards the details of the burial plan.
“May protocol officer na nag nakikipag-coordinate sa pamilya. Hopefully by Monday makapagreport na sa amin at malaman na namin ang detalye sa libing,” he said in an interview with reporters.
He said the Army are ready to provide the requests of the Marcos family should they will be informed.
“Pwede silang magrequest basta magbigay sila ng list of visitors kasi kami ang magpe-prepare and magpo-provide ng chairs and tents,” Hao said.
On Thursday night, Duterte made good of his promise and said Marcos’ interment at the Libingan ng mga Bayani “doesn’t mean he’s a hero in the true sense of the word.”
He added that the law allows former soldiers and presidents to be buried there.
Duterte added he would be violating the law if he didn’t allow Marcos to be interred at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.
Initially, the interment is scheduled on September 18, a week after the former president’s birthday.