Navy divers give final salute to Jesse

MANILA, Philippines - Before enjoying their furloughs after completing their mission in Masbate Bay, two of the six Philippine Navy technical dive experts proceeded to Malacañang yesterday morning to honor the late Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jesse Robredo with a final salute.

“Our team members are happy that he is now reunited with his family and we know he too is happy because he is now with our Lord,” said 3rd Gunnery Mate Rogelio Brizuela Jr., who along with Petty Officer 3 Edgardo Vergara rendered their final salute to Robredo at Malacañang on behalf of their group.

Naval Special Operations Group (Navsog) dive supervisor Lt. Commander Ares Camino and Task Force Kalihim and acting Southern Luzon Command Maj. Gen. Eduardo del Rosario accompanied Brizuela and Vergara to offer their final respects to Robredo on behalf of the six-man Navsog technical dive group.

Lt. Junior Grade Josephus Dimaunhan, Lt. Junior Grade Ramil Sahol, 2nd Electronic Technician Carlo Montiel and HM3 Sergs Esptropigan were part of the team responsible for the retrieval of Robredo’s body from the Piper Seneca plane, 180 feet on the ocean floor of Masbate Bay last Tuesday.

With civilian foreign technical dive experts linking up with them, the group was also able to retrieve the bodies of Jessup Bahinting and Kshitiz Chand, the pilot and co-pilot of the ill-fated light plane.

Meanwhile, people from all walks of life and ages continued to pay tribute to Robredo, whose remains have lain in state at the Kalayaan Hall of Malacañang since Friday.

The mourners waited in a long line to view the closed and flag-draped casket and did not leave despite a heavy downpour.

Those from Naga City donned shirts printed with Robredo’s photo.

Robredo’s widow Leni and other members of the family attended to the sympathizers.

Former President Fidel Ramos, diplomats, lawmakers, local officials, businessmen, students and various groups also came to pay their last respects.

Members of the Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine National Police, the Philippine Navy and the International Police likewise paid their tribute.

Some village volunteers wore “Paalam (Goodbye) Jesse” armbands while actress and socio-civic leader Rosa Rosal donned a white blouse with the Red Cross seal when they visited.

Members of the Philippine Coalition on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities also came.

Bishop Antonio Tobias of Novaliches offered condolences and blessed Robredo.

Members of the Cabinet also took part by standing vigil at the funeral. They were set to give their memorial service last night after the Liberal Party.

Newly installed Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno also took time to pay her last respects to Robredo after her oath taking at the Palace.

Yesterday was the last day of public viewing for Robredo’s remains, which will be taken back to Naga City today before his burial on Tuesday. – With Aurea Calica