Sultan Jamalul Kiram III's remains flown to Sulu

MANILA, Philippines - Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III was unable to see his family reclaim Sabah, believing it's their ancestral homeland, as he died Sunday morning from multiple organ failure at age 75.

His remains were brought from the Blue Mosque in Taguig to his home town in Jolo, Sulu on early Monday morning via Lion Air and arrived in Sulu at 7:30 a.m., a radio report has said.

The funeral ceremony at Maimbung, where ancient patriarchs of the Sulu royal family are traditionally buried, will be graced by members of his family and followers.

Businessman Peping Cojuangco, uncle of President Benigno Aquino III<  and former First Lady Imelda Marcos have reportedly attended the memorial services in Taguig following his death.

Related: Dying Sulu sultan: Pursue Sabah claim

Even until his final breath, Kiram III called for his family to continue pursuing their claim on Sabah, now ceded as a region of Malaysia.

The patriarch is said to have led an armed insurrection when they marched to Lahad Datu in Sabah earlier this year to "go home."

“We thank the people who believed in his ideals; my husband is very nationalistic, he is proud to be a Filipino, he never sold his principles,” Kiram's widow Fatima said.