THE Armed Forces ended on Monday a 30-day mourning period for the death of former President Fidel Ramos, also a former Armed Forces chief and defense secretary.
AFP chief Gen. Bartolome Bacarro led the final tribute for Ramos, who died a the age of 94 on July 31, at the military’s general headquarters at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.
Ramos’ cremated remains were inurned at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City on August 9.
“Three volleys were fired at 4:30 in the afternoon in honor of FVR (Fidel Valdez Ramos), followed by the removal of mourning bands of military personnel,” said AFP public affairs office chief Col. Jorry Baclor.
The three volleys, each consisting of seven shots, were fired by a rifle party.
“The ceremony was concluded by the lowering of the national flag,” Baclor said.
The activity was replicated at the headquarters of the major services (Army, Air Force and Navy), unified area commands (Northern Luzon, Southern Luzon, Western, Central, Eastern Mindanao, and Western Mindanao commands) and the Philippine Military Academy.
In his address, Bacarro recalled Ramos’ legacy as a military officer and a public servant.
“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,” said Bacarro.
Ramos was a key player in the ouster of President Ferdinand Marcos, the father of current President Marcos Jr, in February 1986, through the “EDSA People Power Revolution.”
“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,” said Bacarro.
