The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) brought the late former president Fidel V. Ramos to his final resting place at the Libingan ng Mga Bayani (Heroes’ Cemetery) in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on Tuesday, Aug. 9.
AFP Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Bartolome Vincent Bacarro served as the military host for the state funeral of Ramos, who started his career as an esteemed military officer, becoming the AFP Chief from 1986 to 1988, Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary from 1988 to 1991, and was elected 12th president of the Philippines, serving from 1992 to 1998. He passed away last July 31 at the age of 94.
Ramos’ cremated remains were taken from the viewing chapel at the Heritage Park by honor guards at around 10 a.m. Prior to this, a private mass was held which was attended by his family, relatives, and close friends.
The bronze casket bearing the urn of Ramos arrived shortly at the Libingan ng Mga Bayani where Ramos’ wife, Mrs. Amelita “Ming” Martinez-Ramos, and other members of the family were received by Bacarro.
Full military honors were rendered by the AFP before they loaded Ramos’ casket onto a caisson. After that, a funeral procession was held until Ramos’ remains reached his grave site.
Upon reaching the grave site, a final benediction was performed by AFP Chief Chaplain Fr. Col. Daniel Tansip.
From there, the AFP lowered Ramos’ urn to the ground, and rendered a 21-gun salute, each fire marked with a five second interval, as a final tribute to the former commander-in-chief.
Military aircraft then performed a flower drop while Ramos’ favorite songs, Maalala Mo Kaya and Alerta Filipinas of the Katipuneros, were played by the AFP composite band.
The solemn ceremony concluded with a “flowers farewell” as attendees dropped white roses at the burial site of Ramos, a final act of tribute for him, while President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. handed over the Philippine flag draped over Ramos’ casket to his wife, Amelita.
Ramos is survived by his wife, five daughters, eight grandsons, and five granddaughters.