Despite alternate trickles of rain and glaring sunlight, around 7,000 supporters of the late former President Corazon Aquino continued to flock her wake at the Manila Cathedral on Tuesday.
"Mga 7,000 yan, iba pa dun sa 7,000 kahapon, pero come and go sila (They are about 7,000, that's a 7,000 from yesterday, but they come and go," Manila Police District head Chief Superintendent Rodolfo Magtibay told GMANews.
Public viewing at the Manila Cathedral started Monday after the remains of Mrs. Aquino arrived at the church from La Salle Greenhills in Mandaluyong City. It resumed past 9 p.m. after a scheduled Mass.
The viewing stopped again at 4 a.m. Tuesday but later resumed at 7 a.m.
Magtibay said the large number of mourners has caused the line for the public viewing to reach the San Agustin Church, also in Intramuros.
"Lagpas-lagpasan na yung linya (The lines are way past the Manila Cathedral)," said Magtibay.
But well-wishers of the democracy icon refuse to give up on the opportunity to see her for the last time.
"Anga haba-haba ng pila, grabe lang, pero okay lang basta makita ko siya, (The line is so long, but it's all okay if I get to see her)," said 26-year-old Mae after seeing the line of people patiently awaiting their turn to see Mrs. Aquino.
Magtibay said they still have 1,000 men deployed around the Manila Cathedral for area, route, and traffic security.
After a 9 a.m. Mass Wednesday, Mrs. Aquino’s body will be brought to the Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque City for interment.
Magtibay, however, said that they will not have any additional security measures for the funeral.
"Ineexpect namin dadami tao pero same lang idedeploy namin (We do expect that there would be more people tomorrow but we will still deploy the same number of people)," he said.
Mrs. Aquino – who was diagnosed with colon cancer in March last year - died at the Makati Medical Center on Saturday 3:18 a.m. due to cardiorespiratory arrest.
Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III said his mother will be buried beside the remains of his father, the late Senator Benigno Aquino Jr., who was assassinated upon his arrival in Manila from the United States on Aug. 21, 1983.
