President Benigno S. Aquino III declares ‘National Days of Mourning’ for Interior Secretary Jesse M. Robredo
The body of Philippine Interior Secretary Jesse M. Robredo was recovered by divers Tuesday, three days after a light plane carrying him and three others crashed into the sea off the coast of the island of Masbate.
The death of Robredo prompted Philippines President Benigno S. Aquino III to sign Proclamation No. 460 yesterday, placing the country in “National Days of Mourning”.
According to a Philippine Information Agency report:
The proclamation also orders “all government buildings and installations in the Philippines, and our posts abroad” to put the Philippine flag at half-mast from sunrise to sunset for six days beginning yesterday.
Meanwhile, until the date of the interment, flags will remain lowered to half-mast in Malacañang Palace, City of Naga and all offices and installations of the Department of Interior and Local Government, Bureau of Fire Protection, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Local Government Academy, National Police Commission, Philippine National Police and the Philippine Public Safety College.
According to Transportation and Communications Secretary Mar Roxas, Robredo and the two pilots of the Piper Seneca were reported missing Saturday evening after the plane crashed.
Approximately 8:15 am Tuesday, divers discovered the the wreck of the twin-engine Piper Seneca, which was lying overturned on the sea bed about 800 metres from the shore of Masbate.
While three died in the crash, one survived. Robredo’s aide-de-camp, Police Senior Insp. Jun Abrasado survived to call for the rescue.
Robredo’s body was flown to Naga City, his hometown, where he served as Mayor of Naga City from 1988 to 1998 and from 2001 to 2010 with utmost dedication. He was appointed secretary of the DILG in July 2010.
According to the proclamation, “His many virtues as a public servant have permanently earned for him the gratitude of the City he led, and the Republic he served.”