Short link: https://wp.me/paaccn-tDf
By EDD K. USMAN | Twitter: @edd1819 | Instagram: @bluestar0910 | Facebook: SDN — SciTech and Digital News
MANILA — “A day of sorrow.”
This is how Sen. Robinhood “Abdul Aziz” Padilla” described the passing of former Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Rodolfo Gaspar Biazon, 88.
Padilla expressed his oneness with the nation in observing the former Marine general’s passing on.
“I am one with the Filipino people who mourn the loss of a great public servant, yet remain thankful for the service he rendered to our Motherland. My salute!,” he says.
A legislator in the Senate and the House of Representatives, the former Marine general passed away on Monday, June 12, the day the Philippines celebrated its 125th Independence Day. So, it seemed fitting the military and political leader got his ultimate freedom from temporal maladies on a day Filipinos were freed from the clutches of colonialism.
Mandaluyong City Mayor Ruffy Biazon announced his father’s demise on Facebook on Monday.
“It is with deep sadness that we announce that the bell has rung and the last Taps has been sung for General Rodolfo Gaspar Biazon, former AFP Chief of Staff, member of the Philippine Senate and House of Representatives.
“It is perfectly fitting that today, Independence Day, at around 8:30am, the soldier who dedicated his life and laid it on the line in defending freedom and democracy, has been set free from the pains of this world,” the young Biazon announces.
He said his father had cancer and developed pneumonia. The elder Biazon was brought to a hospital as his son appealed for prayers, showing him in his hospital bed.
Padilla, a popular former action movie star, issued a statement as he shared his sentiments and joined the Filipino nation in mourning Biazon’s passing on.
“Today is a day of sorrow, due to the passing of our beloved former Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff and Senator Rodolfo Biazon,” the Muslim senator says.
Padilla noted the late senator and AFP chief’s demise happening on the day of Philippine independence.
“As the Philippine flag was raised today to mark the 125th anniversary of our country’s independence, I remember the honor of having known Senator Pong Biazon — a public servant who stood tall for our Motherland’s democracy and freedom.
“His principles, both as a soldier and as a lawmaker, will be one legacy we will never forget. His place in our history is secure, and what he has left behind — which was briefly considered to be made into a movie where I would have played a role — will always be an inspiration to me,” Padilla says.
From the young Biazon’s post on social media, he provided schedules for his father’s on June 13 to 18 at The Heritage Memorial Park, Taguig City (public viewing from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily; Necrological services at the Senate on June 19, and on the same day (Monday) at the Philippine Marines Headquarters’ Holy Child Chapel, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City; and on June 20 (Tuesday), interment at Libingan ng mga Bayani, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.
Padilla is the only senator of Islam faith in the Senate and follows the footsteps of former senators Santanina Rasul and Mamintal Tamano, Domocao Alonto, and Salipada K. Pendatun. (✓)