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Malacañang is now preparing for a state funeral for the late DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo.
According to a report, Executive Secretary Jojo Ochoa reportedly formed a committee by Memorandum Circular 36 which will lead the funeral arrangements.
The committee consists of representatives from the DILG, Office of the Presidential Spokesperson, PCDSPO, Presidential Appointment Office, AFP, PNP, PSG, Office of Presidential Protocol, Malacañang Social Office and the city government of Naga.
The PCDSPO will spearhead the meeting and preparation of the office honors and a state funeral for Robredo.
“Whereas, Jesse M. Robredo, Secretary of the Interior and Local Government, tragically died on 18 August 2012, to the deep sorrow of the Philippine Nation; Whereas, it is fitting and proper that the State renders honor to the late Secretary of the Interior and Local Government, commensurate with the people’s affection and admiration for him; and, Whereas, these honors and all forms of official recognition must be done in accordance with law, wishes of the bereaved family of the late Secretary, and the fullest participation of the agencies he headed and the people he represented,” part of MC 36 reads.
Robredo’s body was found from the twin-engined Piper Seneca plane that crashed in the seas of Masbate after 48 hours of search and rescue operations.
Transportation Secretary Mar Roxas stated that the divers found the airplane’s fuselage 180-feet deep and 800 meters away from the shore.
According to one of the divers, Robredo’s remain was recognized because of his clothes and features. It was 8:15 in the morning when they confirmed the secretary’s body was found.
“At about 7.45 AM, nakalapit sila (volunteer divers) sa fuselage, may mga indications na isa sa mga katawan dun sa fuselage ay sa kay Sec Robredo. Itong mga pangyayaring ito ay ginanap roughly 800 meters from shore, somwhere here (Masbate), at a depth of roughly 180 feet. At 8:15 AM, kumpirmadong ang isa sa mga katawan ay kay Sec. Jesse Robredo. In-inform natin ang pangulo, at natawagan ng pangulo ang kanyang (Robredo) misis,” said Roxas.
Roxas also added that they immediately informed President Aquino regarding the sad news.
Secretary Robredo went to Cebu for the meeting at the PNP regional training center and CIDG Summit as President Aquino’s representative and was scheduled to arrive in Naga City late in the afternoon of the same day when the private plane he took from Cebu crashed in the sea of Masbate on Saturday.
The secretary is scheduled to head home to attend to his daughter’s awarding ceremony who won a medal in a swimming competition in the region.
S/Insp. Jun Abrazado, Robredo’s aide, survived in the said plane crash.
He said, that they contacted the air traffic controllers to ask for an emergency landing clearance in the nearest airport in Masbate; however, they failed to make it and the plane crashed in the sea.
Robredo, 54, became the secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) on July 2010. Before being a cabinet member of President Benigno Aquino III, he became a mayor of Naga City in Camarines Sur for three terms. At 29 he was elected as the city mayor that he transformed dramatically and has become one of the “youngest Philippine city mayors.”
He is also a Ramon Magsaysay awardee for government service.
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