The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) rendered traditional military funeral honors to its former Chief of Staff, General Lisandro Abadia, who was laid to rest at the Libingan ng Mga Bayani (Heroes' Cemetery) in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on Saturday, January 29.
Colonel Jorry Baclor, chief of AFP public affairs office, said appropriate final honors were rendered by the military including the 21-gun salute, and the taps and volley of fire during Abadia's interment.
Before he was laid to rest, Abadia was accorded necrological rites and departure honors at the St. Ignatius Cathedral in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City during the last day of wake on Friday.
Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., commander of the Philippine Army, was among those who paid tribute to Abadia.
“Throughout his 36 years of service for the Armed Forces of the Philippines, General Abadia has the finest ideals of Filipino soldiery and has epitomized the highest standards of the Philippine Army’s core values of honor, patriotism, and duty,” Brawner said.
Brawner also recalled how Abadia institutionalized professionalism and meritocracy in the AFP promotion system, and how he implemented a comprehensive approach in dealing with the country's insurgency problem.
“On behalf of the men and women of the Philippine Army, I express my sincerest condolences and offer my solemn prayers to the bereaved loved ones of the late General Abadia,” Brawner remarked.
Abadia served as the 22nd AFP Chief from 1991 under the presidency of the late Corazon Aquino until 1994 under the presidency of Fidel Ramos.
He spearheaded the implementation of AFP Campaign Plan ‘Lambat Bitag’ that diminished the strength of the communist rebels.
He also served as the Commanding General of the Philippine Army in 1991.
Abadia passed away last January 9 at the age of 83.