AFP to render departure honors for Robredo

MANILA, Philippines - The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will once again render departure honors for the late Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jesse Robredo when his remains are flown back to Naga City today.

President Aquino has declared Aug. 28 as a special non-working day in Naga City to give the people of Naga the opportunity to honor and show their respect for the late secretary.

Aquino issued Proclamation No. 461, signed by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. last Friday.

“Earlier, the city government of Naga issued a resolution requesting the Office of the President to declare Tuesday, Aug. 28, the day of Secretary Robredo’s interment, a non-working day.

This is to allow the people of Naga to participate in the state funeral and pay their last respects to their beloved former mayor and secretary of the Interior,” Bulletin No. 8 released by the Committee on Funeral Arrangements and Burial of Robredo read.

The funeral Mass for Robredo will take place in the Basilica Minore de Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia at 10 a.m. on Tuesday.

“This will be followed by the rendering of full military honors at 11 a.m., and by the conclusion of the state funeral at Funeraria Imperial, where the remains of the late secretary will be cremated,” the bulletin said.

AFP spokesman Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr. said the Philippine Army (PA) will deploy a contingent of its honor guard battalion as pall bearers in the send-off ceremony today.

Robredo’s remains were brought to Manila for a three-day wake at Malacañang.

“Our top brass are expected to attend the send off ceremony for Secretary Robredo,” Army spokesman Maj. Harold Cabunoc said.

Philippine National Police (PNP) officials led PNP chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome are now in Naga City for the arrival honors and to prepare for the interment activities on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Philippine flags in Butuan City, the capital of Caraga region, were flown at half-mast since Thursday as a sign of respect to Robredo.

Butuan City Mayor Ferdinand Amante Jr. said that since he and Robredo became friends, the secretary never turned down his request to be present in any major activities or events in his city.

Officials of the Department of Labor and Employment Caraga regional office also paid tribute to Robredo, who they said has always been “a dear friend of the labor sector.”

“His integrity and credibility is without question, particularly in executing directives/actions for the benefit of the citizenry,” Caraga Police regional director Chief Supt. Carmelo Valmoria said. 

Philippine Overseas Employment Administration Caraga regional director Marietta Bellotindos said Robredo’s sudden demise is a great loss not only to DILG, but the entire bureaucracy. – With Aurea Calica, Ben Serrano