21/08/2012
Yap, Tarlaquenos mourn death of DILG sec
TARLAC CITY---An emotional Tarlac Governor Victor Yap has called on all Tarlaquenos to pray for the eternal repose of Department of the Interior and Local Government [DILG] Secretary Jesse Robredo after his body was found off the coast of Masbate city, morning of August 21.
Yap, who is a close friend of the former Naga City mayor, said that the country lost a very good and well loved cabinet secretary.
“We lost a very good secretary who has instituted positive changes for the country,” Yap said adding that Robredo texted him twice during the height of the monsoon rains this month asking him about the condition of the province.
“He was deeply concerned about the situation in the province during the height of the monsoon rains. Nakakapanghinayang siya,” he said.
Robredo accompanied President Benigno Aquino III in Tarlac last August 10 and assisted in the distribution of relief good to affected families in Paniqui and Capas towns.
On Saturday, a single-engine, six-seater Piper Seneca plane carrying Robredo en route to Naga City from Cebu City crashed off Masbate after reports of engine trouble.
An emotional DOTC Secretary Mar Roxas announced the development Tuesday morning. He noted President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III personally called Robredo's wife to convey the sad news.
Roxas said divers saw Robredo still inside the plane, at sea depths of 180-feet. He added the plane fuselage was discovered 7:35 am Tuesday, and Robredo's body was retrieved 8:15 am.
The bodies of pilots Captain Jessup Bahinting and Nepalese flight student Ksh*tiz Chand, were likewise been recovered.
"Airplane was inverted. In that configuration, two pilots are inside cockpit. Jess being a passenger, mas madaling ma-access," said Roxas in a televised press conference.
He noted that Robredo's remains are in "sensitive state", given that the body has been underwater for two days now.
Police Officer Don Abrazado, Robredo's aide, was the only survivor of the crash.
Yap thanked the assistance extended by Robredo to the province of Tarlac and extended his condolences to the secretary’s bereaved family.
“We will never forget the goodness and the greatness of Secretary Jess. May he rest in peace,” Yap said.
The governor also ordered that all Philippine flags in the province be put on half mast.---PIO Media Affairs