Ex-AFP chief Angelo Reyes receives full military honors

(Updated 7 p.m.) Accorded full military honors, former Armed Forces chief Angelo Reyes was laid to rest at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City at 12 noon Sunday. The Philippine flag that draped his casket was handed by Defense chief Voltaire Gazmin to Reyes' bereaved wife before the former military chief's remains were finally laid to rest. His children and grandchildren offered white roses to their late patriarch. AFP chief of staff Ricardo David, former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Cabinet officials of past administrations were among those who paid their last respects to Reyes. Earlier, a military band played as Reyes' flag-draped casket was carried by soldiers toward Camp Aguinaldo’s grandstand, where the Philippine flag was flown at half-mast. Reyes’ bereaved wife, children and grandchildren, all clad in white, led the march toward the grandstand. Other officials present during the departure honors for Reyes at Camp Aguinaldo were former Presidential Chief of Staff Mike Defensor, military spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jose Mabanta and Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim. “This is one of the saddest days in the military, now that we will lay to rest a former chief of staff. Once upon a time, we were touched by this man," Mabanta told reporters during the funeral.
For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV Reyes shot himself through the heart, apparently with a .45 caliber pistol, in front of his mother’s grave at the Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina City last Tuesday, weeks after he was accused of receiving pay-offs from military funds at a Senate hearing. A requiem, officiated by military chaplain Monsignor Albert Songco, was heard held at Camp Aguinaldo’s canopy, starting at 8 a.m., attended by Reyes’ family and members of the military. 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 of Reyes’ grandchildren, Raffy and Mickey, meanwhile offered songs to their grandfather. In 2001, during his term as AFP chief, Reyes led the military hierarchy in withdrawing support from then President Joseph Estrada during a popular mass uprising, catapulting then Vice President Arroyo to the presidency. Aside from being a former military chief, Reyes also held several Cabinet positions during the Arroyo administration, including the national defense and energy portfolios. — VS, GMA News