Tourists line up in mausoleum, dismayed that only Marcos wax left

ILOCOS NORTE - Tourists lined up here on Friday at the Marcos mausoleum, not knowing the remains of Ferdinand Marcos had already been flown to Taguig City.

In photos taken around 11:00 a.m., tourists were seen lining up at the Marcos mausoleum, which famously housed the supposedly preserved body of the late dictator.

Police, however, confirmed that the body was flown out at 9:00 a.m. in a military helicopter for a hushed and hurried burial Friday noon at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

The body in the mausoleum is only a wax replica, frustrating tourists who thought they were looking at Marcos' real remains.

When a military helicopter was seen at Ilocos Norte on Friday, it was claimed that the aircraft was just bringing relief goods, according to reports.

The Marcos family had been preparing for the burial and bought a casket as early as August.

The solid bronze casket was ordered from the U.S. and was picked by former First Lady Imelda Marcos herself, mortician Dr. Frank Malabed earlier said.