Reyes’ son: My dad died an honorable death

“You were a good dad… You were a good man." These were the words of Marc Reyes, the son of the late Defense secretary Angelo Reyes, as his father’s casket was being closed to be finally laid to rest at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City. In a speech during the burial, Marc maintained that his father died “with dignity." “Now, we can proudly say that my dad died an honorable death, with dignity. No one can take that way from us. No one," he said. Reyes, also a former Armed Forces chief, committed suicide in front of his mother’s grave last Tuesday, days after he was accused of receiving pay-offs from military funds at a Senate hearing. Other bereaved members of Reyes’ family, who were all clad in white, were calm and composed during the burial, but burst into tears when Reyes’ coffin was opened for the final viewing. Reyes’ widow, Teresita, seemed to find comfort in the embraces of her grandchildren, who were beside her all the time while she bade her husband goodbye. Other family members, however, looked peaceful as they released balloons and butterflies after Reyes’ remains were lowered to its final resting place.

Military funeral Reyes’ remains arrived at the Libingan ng mga Bayani at 11 a.m. Sunday, where it was given a 19-gun salute accorded to past and present military chiefs of staff. Ranking officials of the military, led by Armed Forces chief General Ricardo David, also gave Reyes’ remains a final salute upon its arrival at the cemetery. The flag-draped casket was then transferred to a limber and caisson, after which came a funeral march led by a military band and a battalion of soldiers from all three major services of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)—the Philippine Army, the Philippine Navy, and the Philippine Air Force. Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, former Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, and former Presidential Chief of Staff Mike Defensor joined Reyes’ family during the funeral march. A military chopper showered the funeral march with red and white rose petals as it made its way to Reyes’ final resting place. Upon arrival at the place, soldiers fired a three-volley salute for Reyes—a ceremonial act performed as part of the drill during military and police funerals. ‘Supreme sacrifice’ Throughout the funeral, Arceo Esplano, a political supporter of Reyes’ son and former Taguig representative, Angelito, carried a piece of paper saying “Unequal Act of Supreme Sacrifice. God bless you, General Reyes." Esplano, who has known Reyes since 2007, described the late military chief as “a true gentleman." “He’s a nice person. Hindi lang siya kilala ng mga tao. Iba ang personality niya. Iba ang humility niya," he said while holding back tears. He added that he feels “hurt" that Reyes’ political opponents considered the former AFP chief as guilty even without proving their accusations of military corruption. “Hindi pa siya convicted pero he was considered guilty na. Hindi ganoon ang pagkatao ni General Angelo Reyes," he said. A banner saying “Ano pa ang silbing mabuhay sa minamahal mong Inang Bayan kung ang iningatan mong dangal ay tinatapakan lamang ng iilan?" was laid next to Reyes’ grave after the funeral. - KBK, GMA News