President Aquino brings Robredo's body to Naga

Tweet

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATE) -- President Benigno Aquino III will personally bring the remains of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo to his family in Naga.
According to a post on Malacanang’s Facebook account, the metal casket bearing the remains of Robredo was transferred to the C130 plane used by Aquino.
"The President will personally bring Sec. Robredo's remains to Naga City, to the Archbishop Palace where his family will be waiting," it said.
Aquino arrived at the Mactan Cebu International Airport at around 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday on board the C-130. In tow are several Cabinet officials, including Transport Secretary Manuel "Mar" Roxas II.
Roxas earlier announced that the body of Robredo was recovered at the Ticao Channel, off the coast of Masbate.
"At 8:15 a.m. kumpirmadong ang isa sa mga katawan ay kay Secretary Robredo," Roxas said.
Divers found the plane's fuselage 180 feet under water at around 7:30 a.m. Robredo's body was found inside the fuselage at 7:45 a.m. and his body was brought to the surface at 8:40 a.m.
Meanwhile, divers have also identified another body from the wreckage as retrieval operations are still ongoing for Capt. Jessup Bahinting and Nepalese Kshitiz Chand.
The government will employ remotely operated underwater vehicles to help in the retrieval and allow the divers to rest after being underwater for more than an hour.
Arrangements being made
In an interview with ANC, lawyer Irene Aguila said arrangements are being made for the wake of Robredo. Aguila is Robredo’s executive assistant.
“The viewing will start later this afternoon or early evening at the Archbishop Palace. We’ll keep you posted as to the other arrangements…To be safe, the public viewing will start this evening at the Archbishop Palace, we’ll keep you posted,” she said.
She added other details are still being finalized. Robredo’s remains may also be flown to Manila.
“I understand that’s part of the arrangements being made. As to the date, they are still not final. We should have the details perhaps by tonight,” Aguila said.
In the meantime, she asked the media and the public to allow the family to be alone with the Cabinet secretary. “We are asking that the media give them some space and some time to be alone with the secretary.