LUCENA CITY , Philippines – Apparent president-elect Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III visited the wake of Quezon Gov. Rafael Nantes at the Quezon Convention Center early dawn yesterday together with other Liberal Party delegation, an official of the provincial government said.
Francis Sevilla, Nantes’ chief of staff said Aquino, together with Sen. Manuel “Mar” Roxas, Florencio Abad and Neric Acosta arrived here at around 1:30 a.m.
The group stayed at the wake for two hours and left for Manila afterward.
Early visitors of Nantes’ wake includes LP Quezon Rep. Lorenzo Tañada III and Proceso Alcala and his son congressman-elect Irvin Alcala.
In an earlier statement, Aquino extended his sympathies to Nantes’ family saying-“In behalf of my family, allow me to extend my deepest condolences to Gov. Raffy’s loves ones and constituents. Though no words may ease the pain of losing someone, we offer our sympathies and prayers.”
“The Liberal Party expresses its sincerest condolences to the family and loved ones of Gov. Nantes. We mourn the untimely demise of our beloved friend and party mate,” Liberal Party president Mar Roxas likewise said.
In an interview with Betty, widow of Nantes said they were still in a state of shock.
“Bago ang trahedya masaya pa syang nakapagpaalam sa mga kawani ng kapitolyo at wala man lang kaming nakitang premonition, dahil kung meron, mapipigilan ko pa syang pumunta ng Quezon,” Mrs. Nantes told The STAR.
Mrs. Nantes quoted her husband in their last conversation saying – “Kahit saan ako mapunta taas noo pa rin ako dahil may nagawa ako sa lalawigan ng Quezon, ako ang panalo.”
Betty even appealed to Quezon provincial employees to hang a bond paper in front of their houses with words “Maraming Salamat Kuya Raffy” printed on it.
Asked if they will pursue for an investigation following reports that the incident was a sabotage – “Ipapasa D’yos ko nalang,” (I’ll leave it to God), she replied.
“Wala namang problema ang chopper kasi yung ang gamit nya during election, sumakay pa nga ako doon five times at wala naman naging aberya,” Mrs. Nantes added with their only son Samuel beside her.
Meanwhile,the Air Transportation Office (ATO) will be sending probers to Lucena to investigate the cause of the air tragedy.
Nantes‘ sealed maroon coffin was placed just below the stage with a huge poster beside it. Nantes’ remains were charred beyond recognition.
Two Army soldiers stood in attention on both sides of the casket.
On Monday afternoon, Nantes and his bodyguards PO3 Randy Roperez and Army Master Sergeant Alfred Dominguez and the pilot Capt. Nestor Sanchez perished in the crash a few minutes after it took off from the nearby athletic field of the Quezon National High School.
The chopper crash landed on two houses in Jael Subdivision in Barangay Ilayang Iyam that killed another civilian Rowena Navales, 14. (According to PNP, five people died not 6 as earlier reported).
Aquino said he was planning to surprise Nantes next week by telling him that he would appoint him chief of the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office.
Aquino disclosed this during a visit to Nantes’ wake at the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena City, where he was accompanied by LP president Sen. Mar Roxas, LP campaign manager Florencio “Butch” Abad and defeated senatorial candidate Nereus Acosta.
Aquino said he could not believe that Nantes, his good friend and former colleague in the House of Representatives, would suffer such a fate. “In behalf of my family, allow me to extend my deepest condolences to Gov. Raffy’s loved ones and constituents.”
“Though no words may ease the pain of losing someone, we offer our sympathies and prayers. May they be granted strength to cope with this tragedy, and may we honor his memory by continuing his tradition of service,” he said.
The Philippine National Police is coordinating with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippine (CCAP) in the investigation of the crash of the aircraft that killed incumbent Quezon governor and Liberal Party National Treasurer Rafael Nantes and five other persons in Lucena City. – With Michelle Zoleta, Delon Porcalla, Cecille Suerte Felipe