Aquino leads departure honors for the late DILG
Secretary Robredo after a two-day wake in Malacanang
President Benigno S. Aquino III led the
departure honors for the late Department of Interior and Local Government
(DILG) Secretary Jesse Robredo whose remains was flown back to his hometown of
Naga City, in Camarines Sur on Sunday.
The President, the immediate family of Secretary
Robredo and members of his official family joined some 150 members of the
Presidential Security Group Honor Guards who rendered the departure honors and
paid their last respects to the former DILG chief with a 19-gun salute.
Prior to the send off ceremonies, which began at
6:55 a.m., a holy mass was officiated by Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle
at 5:30 a.m.
The hearse bearing the remains of the late
Secretary left Malacanang grounds at around 7:25 a.m. for Villamor Air Base in
Pasay City where a flight would bring the remains of Robredo and his family
back to Naga City.
Robredo, who died with two others in a plane
crash in the coastal waters off Masbate City last August 18, had been accorded
a State funeral by Malacanang. His remains have been lying in state at the
Kalayaan Hall since Friday, August 24. (rck)
