The military ended on Monday its month-long mourning for the late former President Fidel V. Ramos and rendered its final tribute that included volleys of fire.
The mourning for the military, which Ramos had formerly led as Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Defense Secretary and later as Commander-in- Chief, began on July 31 right after the official reading of his death.
AFP Chief of Staff General Bartolome Bacarro led the ceremony at the general headquarters, which was simultaneously held at the headquarters of the major services, unified commands and the Philippine Military Academy.
Military Public Affairs Office chief Col. Jorry Baclor said three volleys were fired at 4:30 p.m. in honor of the late President, followed by the removal of mourning bands of military personnel.
The lowering of the National Flag concluded the ceremony.
In his speech, Bacarro recalled Ramos’s legacy as a military officer and 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,” he 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,” Bacarro said.
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