Grandchildren of the late President Fidel V. Ramos. Screenshot from RTVM.
MANILA, Philippines — Former President Fidel V. Ramos was laid to rest Tuesday at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (LNMB).
The tomb assigned to Ramos, the 12th chief executive of the country, was beside that of another former president, Elpidio Quirino.
The remains of the late former Chief Executive first arrived at the LNMB after a private mass at past 10 a.m.
Joining the final rites was President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., who can be seen giving a salute to Ramos’ remains.
President Bongbong Marcos joins Mrs Ming Ramos during the final rites for the late president Fidel Ramos. Screenshot from RTVM
Ramos, who also previously served as chief-of-staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and secretary of the Department of National Defense, was given full military honors with a 21-gun salute.
A Philippine flag that covered Ramos’ casket was also turned over to the Ramos family, handed by Marcos.
The song Alerta Filipinas, and two Christian songs — How Great Thou Art and Ama Namin (the 1986 version) — were being played during the funeral march as he was being laid to to his final resting place, as per the request of the former president, relayed through eldest daughter Angel Ramos Jones.
Prior to the burial, a funeral mass was held at the Heritage Chapel in Taguig City.
Ramos, who served as president of the Philippines from 1992 to 1998, died last July 31 at the age of 94.
He is remembered for a number of achievements during his presidency such as resuscitating the economy, allowing the country to rid itself of the reputation as “the sick man of Asia.’’
It was also during the Ramos administration that the government and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) signed a peace agreement.
Ramos likewise resolved the energy crisis that hounded the country during the first year of his presidency.
A bemedaled military man, Ramos served as vice chief of staff of the Armed Forces and was Philippine Constabulary commander when he decided to join the Edsa People Power Revolution that ousted the 20-year Marcos regime.
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