Reyes buried at Libingan ng mga Bayani

MANILA, Philippines (PNA) – Former Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff and Defense Secretary Angelo T. Reyes was laid to rest this afternoon with full military honors at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (Heroes' Cemetery) in Taguig City.

A 21-gun salute was accorded to Reyes, who shot himself before his parents' graves at the Loyola Memorial Park (LMP) in Marikina City last Tuesday, barely two weeks after he was accused of receiving pay-offs from military funds at a Senate hearing.

Reyes was buried near the tomb of journalist Maximo V. Soliven.

The former AFP chief's casket was opened but television cameramen and photojournalists were not allowed by family members to take shots of the coffin.

Relatives and friends held umbrellas around the coffin to block any taking of video or photo of the opened casket.

After a short prayer, family members took a last look at the body of Reyes before it was lowered into the grave.

Earlier, in Camp Aguinaldo, a battalion of soldiers accorded Reyes with full military honors during the final rites.

AFP chief Gen. Ricardo David led the military men in paying their last respects to the late Defense chief.

A military band played as the flag-draped casket was carried by soldiers toward Camp Aguinaldo’s grandstand, where the Philippine flag was flown at half-mast.

Reyes’ widow, Teresita, children and grandchildren led the march towards the grandstand.

Among the others present during the departure honors for Reyes at Camp Aguinaldo were former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, former Presidential Chief of Staff Mike Defensor, AFP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jose Mabanta and Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim.

A requiem mass, officiated by military chaplain Monsignor Albert Songco, was held at Camp Aguinaldo’s canopy starting at 8 a.m., attended by members of Reyes’ family and the military, among others.

During the mass, Reyes’ granddaughter, Annaly, read a letter: “Papa Gie is my favorite 'lolo (grandfather) in the whole world. He is now my guardian angel. I love him very much."

Two other grandchildren, Raffy and Mickey, meanwhile, offered songs to their grandfather.

source: Manila Bulletin