PH Army’s Security and Escort Battalion all set for FVR funeral

The Philippine Army’s (PA) Security and Escort Battalion is now all set for the state funeral that will be accorded to former President Fidel V. Ramos (FVR) whose internment is scheduled tomorrow, Tuesday.

Ramos, who served from 1992 to 1998 as the country’s 12th president, died last July 31 at the age of 94.

PA spokesperson Col. Xerxes Trinidad said their Security and Escort Battalion will join other AFP honor guards to render state funeral honors to FVR on Tuesday at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Fort Bonifacio, Metro Manila.

Ramos also served as AFP chief-of-staff and Defense Secretary under the late former president Corazon Aquino, and as former chief of the Philippine Constabulary which was subsequently  merged with national police under him to become what is now the Philippine National Police (PNP).

A battalion-sized contingent of honor guards will render funeral departure honors for the late president at the Heritage Park in Taguig City, where the cremated remains of the former commander-in-chief currently lie in state.

Trinidad said soldiers will then accompany the convoy of the former first family and other VIP guests to the Libingan ng mga Bayani. A second battalion-sized contingent will accord funeral arrival honors for the remains of the late president upon arrival at the Libingan. The honor guards will then join a composite team in the funeral march to the internment site. “Full military honors and a 21-gun salute will conclude the state funeral,” he added.

The two-day public viewing of the late former president’s remains will wind up today, Monday. Despite the heavy rains,  FVR supporters lined up at the Heritage Park and honored his life and legacy.

Philippine flags at camps and military installations nationwide are now being flown at half-staff in mourning for highly loved and admired former President, while uniformed service personnel black armbands on their uniform’s left sleeve in accordance with the military tradition on the passing of a former commander-in-chief. (With PNA)