The AFP insisted that Marcos family rented Air Force choppers for transferring the remains of the late dictator.
The official of the Armed Forces of the Philippines insisted that the family of ex-president Ferdinand Marcos rented the choppers of Air Force used during the transfer of remains from Ilocos to Libingan ng mga Bayani.
According to AFP spokesman Brigadier General Restituto Padilla, the Marcos family owes the military P1.2 million for the choppers used in the unannounced burial of the former president on Friday.
Padilla said that the two choppers were rented out by the AFP to lift the remains of Marcos from Ilocos Norte and bring the members of his family to Manila.
“I understand hindi pa (nababayaran) kasi kaka-compute pa lang (ng cost),” Padilla said.
The official estimated the cost, where he revealed that renting a helicopter is P106,000 per hour.
The Filipinos were shocked by the burial on Friday noontime.
The military had kept the burial secret in deference to the wishes of the Marcos family.
After the interment, members of the Marcos family faced the media and said they did not want to offend those against the Libingan burial for her father by disclosing details to the public.
Padilla confirmed that the late president was given military honors fit for a president. This is contrary to the press statement released by the Marcos Presidential Center said the late dictator was accorded a private soldier’s burial ceremony.
The remains of Marcos was placed in a palochina or pine wooden coffin, which according to his family, is a symbol of a “simple” funeral.
However, in a Facebook video of Marcos’ burial posted by Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos, it was shown that the former leader’s tomb had a presidential seal.
Padilla added that he also noticed a cauldron-like structure near the entombment area at the Libingan ng mga Bayani which had a flame burning at the time of interment.
The surprise burial of Marcos on Friday was done after more than 27 years after Marcos’ death in Honolulu, Hawaii, United States, on September 28, 1989.
This is 10 days after the decision of the Supreme Court allowing the burial at the heroes cemetery.
