US casket for Marcos?

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―The bronze casket to hold the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos’ remains has arrived from the United States ahead of his planned burial at Libingan ng mga Bayani on Sept. 18.

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

The public had been notified about the closure until today (Tuesday). Viewing hours at the mausoleum resume from 9 a.m. to noon and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. tomorrow (Wednesday).

Visitors from Metro Manila, the provinces and California came to the Marcos ancestral home here on Monday hoping to see the body of Marcos, only to find out the mausoleum was closed.

“He was a president of the Philippines so he should be buried [at Libingan],” said Dolores Tejeros. Leilanie Adriano, Inquirer Northern Luzon