Imported casket for Marcos arrives in Batac

Former first lady Imelda Marcos kisses the glass case that contains the frozen remains of former dictator and president Ferdinand Marcos on July 2, 2014. (AFP FILE PHOTO/TED ALJIBE)

BATAC CITY, Ilocos Norte — The bronze casket for the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos has arrived from the United States, in preparation for his burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani on Sept. 18.

On Monday, the mausoleum where the frozen remains of Marcos have been kept since 1993, was closed to the public as Dr. Frank Malabed, a mortician, started to prepare the body.

The public has been notified about the closure on Monday. Viewing hours at the mausoleum will resume from 9 a.m. to noon and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, and every day thereafter.

Visitors from Metro Manila and other provinces and balikbayans (visiting Filipinos) from California came in droves at the Marcos ancestral home here on Monday hoping to see the body of Marcos, only to find out that the mausoleum, was closed.

“We were on our way home to Apayao but we took a side trip here to see Marcos. We should forget what happened in the past to better our future. We should respect decisions that would improve our lives,” said Glenn Edrozo, a resident of Luna, Apayao.

“He was a president of the Philippines so he should be buried [at the Libingan ng mga Bayani]. I saw him here before but my husband also wanted a glimpse of the president so we decided to come here,” said Dolores Tejeros, also of Luna.  SFM

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