Ex-military bishop OKs heroe’s burial for Reyes

MANILA, Feb. 10, 2011— A former military bishop is not against giving full military honors to former defense secretary and chief of staff retired Gen. Angelo Reyes who committed suicide Tuesday.

Former Military Ordinary and Lipa Archbishop Ramon Arguelles said he also has no objection with affording Reyes a heroes’ burial because “he really served well” somehow.

“I think he deserves it because he really served the country,” Arguelles said. “After all, a person is innocent until he is found guilty.”

The archbishop earlier affirmed the alleged massive corruption in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

He also revealed that even some military chaplains have been “eaten by the system.”

“Sometimes it’s hard to resolve that issue because everybody is tainted,” said Arguelles.

Reyes reportedly shot himself to death Tuesday morning by using his own gun in front of his mother’s grave in Loyola Memorial Heights in Marikina City.

He was rushed to a hospital in Quezon City by his two children, their driver and a bodyguard, where he was pronounced dead at 8:32 am.

Reyes had been identified to be among the former military officials who were involved in the AFP fund mess.

The AFP said they will give full military honors to Reyes but said it is the family’s decision whether to accept it or not. (CBCPNews)