The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) rendered a final tribute to the late former president Fidel V. Ramos as its 30-day mourning officially concluded on Monday, Aug. 30.
Lt. Gen. Bartolome Vicente Bacarro, AFP Chief of Staff, led the final tribute to Ramos at the AFP General Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City. It was simultaneously held at the headquarters of the AFP's major services and unified commands nationwide, and at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) in Fort del Pilar, Baguio City.
During the tribute, three volleys were fired at 4:30 p.m. in honor of the late president, followed by the removal of mourning bands of the military personnel. The ceremony was concluded by the lowering of the national flag.
"FVR, being a former military commander, prioritized establishing lasting peace in our country. We mark the end of military mourning in honor of a great statesman, a highly respected commander, and a model citizen of our nation," Bacarro said.
"It is our distinct honor and privilege to carry on the former commander-in-chief's aspiration of a truly united and progressive country, guided by patriotism and gallantry of the heroes who preceded us," he added.
Ramos died on July 31 at the age of 94 due to complications caused by Covid-19.
He started his career as an esteemed military officer and went on to become the AFP Chief of Staff from 1986 to 1988, Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary from 1988 to 1991, before he was elected 12th President of the Philippines from 1992 to 1998.
He was laid to rest at the Libingan ng Mga Bayani in Taguig City on Aug. 9.