Naga Airport, Camarines Sur
21 August 2012

President Benigno S. Aquino III together with government officials heading the retrieval operation in Masbate arrived at noon today in Naga Airport onboard the C130, carrying with them the remains of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo.  The secretary’s bereaved family was present at the airport and full military honors were given to the late secretary.

Secretary Robredo’s remains was discovered by the divers at 7:35 a.m. after three days of rigorous search and rescue operation.  His body was retrieved at 8:15 a.m. still intact inside the passenger’s cabin with the plane overturned at a sea depth of 180-feet.

From the airport, the convoy bearing the secretary’s remains went straight to Funeraria Imperial Inc. in the city proper to prepare the secretary’s necrological service. Mourning Bicolanos gathered along the roadside and waved yellow flags to welcome the return of the mayor-turned-DILG Secretary that served Naga City for several terms.

*  *  *