The Department of National Defense (DND) on Wednesday, Nov. 19, held arrival honors for the late former DND Secretary Juan Ponce Enrile to mark the start of a day of tributes at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

DND Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. led senior officials, personnel, and members of Enrile’s family in a ceremony at the DND grounds around 2 p.m. where the institution underscored his decades of involvement in the country’s defense and security affairs.

A Philippine flag was draped over his casket which was positioned on a wheeled bier along a red carpet.

There was also a formation of uniformed honor guards who stood on both sides of the casket, dressed in formal military attire with ceremonial cords and sabers. Meanwhile, additional officers in white and dark dress uniforms lined up facing the casket as they stood at attention.

The DND said the honors aimed to recognize Enrile’s long public career which spanned multiple administrations and included key roles in national security policy.

"We will also hold a necrological service to pay our final respects and honor his long years of service to the nation," Teodoro said.

A necrological service was scheduled at 5 p.m. at Tejeros Hall of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Commissioned Officers’ Club (COC) where colleagues and family members are expected to recount Enrile’s leadership and contributions.

The activities form part of the state protocols accorded to former defense chiefs, the DND explained.

The DND previously grieved the death of Enrile, who passed away on Nov. 13 at the age of 101 after being hospitalized due to pneumonia.

It described as an “icon in defense policy and strategy” who helped shape the foundations of the modern defense establishment.

The DND noted that Enrile’s long tenure as defense minister left a lasting imprint on national security structures even as his career intersected with pivotal and contentious chapters in Philippine history.

“His long and storied career in public service marked profound changes in our nation’s history. His legacy in our country’s politics and governance will always be remembered,” DND spokesperson Asst. Sec. Arsenio Andolong said.

Enrile served as Secretary of National Defense from 1970 to 71, resigning in August 1971 to run for Senate where he lost, and reappointed in the same position from 1972 until November 1986.

Under his tenure, the national security apparatus such as the military, constabulary, and police-like forces, was tightly integrated under the regime of then president Ferdinand Marcos Sr.

As defense secretary from 1970 to 1971 and 1972 to 1986, Enrile saw the imposition of martial law in 1972, which was marked by widespread human rights abuses and increased militarization of policing and constabulary functions.

But in 1986, his defection from the Marcos regime helped trigger the historic People Power uprising that led to the ouster of the dictator.

Aside from being a defense minister, Enrile also served various posts in the government such as Senate President and Chief Presidential Legal Counsel, among others.