“In view of the foregoing, it may be said that frontliners who died addressing the COVID-19 problem may be interred in the LNMB under ‘other deceased persons whose interment or reinterment has been approved by the Commander-in-Chief, Congress or the Secretary of National Defense’,” Panelo said.

According to the guidelines of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the following are qualified to be interred in the LNMB:

a. Medal of Valor Awardees

b. Presidents or Commander-in-Chief, AFP

c. Secretaries of National Defense

d. Chiefs of Staff, AFP

e. Generals/Flag Officers of the AFP

f. Active and retired military personnel of the AFP to include active draftees and trainees who died in the line of duty, active reservists and CAFGU Active Auxiliary (CAA) who died in combat operations or combat-related activities.

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g. Former members of the AFP who laterally entered or joined the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

h. Veterans of Philippine Revolution of 1890, WWI, WWII, and recognized guerillas.

i. Government Dignitaries, Statesmen, National Artists and other deceased persons whose interment or reinterment has been approved by the Commander-in-Chief, Congress or the Secretary of National Defense.

j. Former Presidents, Secretaries of Defense, Dignitaries, Statesmen, National Artists, widows of Former Presidents, Secretaries of National Defense and Chief of Staff.