Photo from Ferdinand E. Marcos Presidential Center
The remains of the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos were transported from Laoag City in Ilocos Norte to Manila for his burial on Friday noon, using choppers from the Philippine Air Force, the military said.
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said the wooden coffin was flown before 9 a.m. (around 8:46 or 8:47 a.m.) Friday using Bell 412 choppers. It arrived past 11 a.m. at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City.
READ: Marcos laid to rest in ‘sneaky’ rites at Libingan ng mga Bayani
Padilla said the Marcos family would shoulder the transport expenses of the former president.
“It was requested from the Armed Forces to be brought by a helicopter of the military because no commercial airlift that could provide it. The expenses will be paid for the Marcoses,” he said.
The late strongman was buried in a secret ceremony that shocked many on Friday noon, 27 years after his death, with the event lasting for about an hour.
READ: WATCH: Marcos buried at Libingan ng mga Bayani
His body was in his hometown Ilocos Norte since 1993, four years after his death in Hawaii in 1989.
Padilla said was “given appropriate honors.” He was put on a horse-drawn carrier and was carried by military pallbearers to the burial site.
“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 [were] provided. This is a final salute to any soldier who is laid to rest,” he said.
AFP Vice Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Glorioso Miranda handed the flag to the widow of the former president, Imelda Marcos.
Padilla said servicemen from the major services, dominantly were from the Army because it was their camp, participated in the funeral.
Marcos was buried at the section of the Libingan ng mga Bayani that is reserved for former presidents. RAM