Ex-president Aquino to be buried on June 26 beside parents — Kris

Duterte declares 10-day national mourning

MANILA, Philippines (Updated 9:07 p.m.) — President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday declared a 10-day national mourning for the late Benigno Aquino III, whose remains will be buried beside his parents at the Manila Memorial Park on June 26.

Duterte in Proclamation 1169 said the country will observe the mourning beginning today until July 3.

In this period, the national flag is to be flown at half-mast from sunrise to sunset in all government buildings and installations across the Philippines and abroad, according to presidential spokesperson Harry Roque.

Aquino passed away in his sleep at 61 this morning from renal disease secondary to diabetes. His remains have since been cremated, and would be laid to rest at the Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque.

There will be a Mass at the Ateneo de Manila University tomorrow, Friday. Aquino's former spokesperson Abigail Valte said a one-day public viewing will be held from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on that day.

"On Saturday, we will bury him beside our parents," the youngest sister said, trying to contain emotions. "It will be that simple. We hope you understand...we did not think it would happen any time soon."

WATCH: Kris Aquino said the remains of former president Benigno Aquino III has been cremated on Thursday night. (Video by Miguel De Guzman/The Philippine STAR) pic.twitter.com/ijedX1WH75

— The Philippine Star (@PhilippineStar) June 24, 2021

The Aquino couple, long hailed as democracy icons in the country, are laid to rest at the said memorial park in Parañaque. 

Ninoy's death in 1983 spurred what would later be known as the EDSA People Power, which saw her wife Cory rising to the presidency in 1986.

Kris appealed for understanding and said the family has opted to keep plans simple so as not to cause a COVID-19 superspreader event. 

Official Bulletin on the Public Viewing

In appreciation for the outpouring of prayers and sympathies for the late Former President Benigno S. Aquino III, there will be a one-day public viewing of President Aquino’s urn at the Church of the Gesu inside the ADMU in QC.

— Abi Valte (@Abi_Valte) June 24, 2021

Valte in an official bulletin said too: "The Aquino family enjoins everyone who intends to personally pay their last respects to the former president, to follow the health protocols and social distancing measures that will be implemented by the Ateneo de Manila in coordination with the authorities."

President Rodrigo Duterte has since sent his condolences to the family. He said his predecessor's "memory and his family's legacy of offering their lives for the cause of democracy will forever remain etched in our hearts." — with reports from The STAR