SIXTY years after his passing, the late president Elpidio Quirino has finally received departure honors.
The remains of Quirino were reinterred at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (Heroes Cemetery) in Taguig City (Metro Manila) on Monday as part of the commemoration of his death anniversary.
He is now the third president buried at the national cemetery, joining Carlos Garcia and Diosdado Macapagal.
Quirino, the country’s sixth president from 1948 to 1953, died of a heart attack on February 29, 1956.
He was then buried at the Manila South Cemetery in Makati City (Metro Manila).
The momentous occasion started with the send-off ceremonies at the Manila South Cemetery, followed by a funeral motorcade along Ayala Avenue, McKinley Road, 5th Avenue and Lawton Avenue to the Libingan ng mga Bayani.
President Benigno Aquino 3rd, Quirino’s descendants and National Historical Commission of the Philippines officials led the reinterment ceremony.
They were accompanied by members of the diplomatic corps, local government officials, invited Cabinet members and politicians and representatives from various sectors.
A brigade-sized ceremonial troops from the Philippine Army, Philippine Air Force and Philippine Navy rendered full military honors for the late president.