Sundown in Masbate and Robredo’s brother

MASBATE, Philippines – Twenty-four hours after the plane of Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo crashed in Masbate’s waters, there is still no sign of the Secretary and two pilots. As Ayee Macaraig reports, darkness forced the suspension of search efforts Sunday night, August 19, and dimmed the hopes of Robredo’s brother.

At first glance, he looks like just one of the many officials in the Masbate command post.

But this man bears a great burden.

His brother, Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo and two pilots are missing at sea.

Butch Robredo puts up a brave front, quietly waiting for news about the plane that crashed into the ocean Saturday.

He and the Secretary’s friends from Naga head to Masbate first thing Sunday, carrying a city’s prayers for its long-time and beloved mayor. 

Bicolanos like Naga Councilor Maria Elizabeth Lavadia, who is also in Masbate, pray to a woman they call Ina or mother.

MARIA ELIZABETH LAVADIA

NAGA COUNCILOR

Lahat kami nananalangin lalo na parating ang piyesta namin, ang Nuestra Senora de Peñafrancia. Basta si Sec, di magpapatalo. Lalaban iyon, lalaban. 

Lavadia watches as her former boss’s brother heads out to sea twice.

Butch has difficulty seeing, a problem that runs in the family.

But this does not stop him from helping deliver food to rescuers and just visiting the fishing vessel stationed at sea.

Lavadia says Butch just wants to be there to see and find out what he can.

Like Robredo’s brother, President Aquino is quiet. his silence is deafening. 

All throughout the day, the President meets with his Cabinet, and the top brass of the police and the military but news is scarce.

SECRETARY MAR ROXAS

TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATIONS

The President is serious, somber and focused. We are hoping Secretary Robredo is just out there hanging on to some debris.

The silence is briefly interrupted with the retrieval of a plane debris found Saturday, and the flight plan found Sunday afternoon.

After that, Robredo’s brother, boss and colleagues wait, and wait even more. 

Twenty four hours after the plane crashed, Butch breaks his silence.

BUTCH ROBREDO

BROTHER OF SECRETARY ROBREDO

Mahirap din iyon. Matagal na ito eh. Yesterday afternoon probably pero as soon as they stopped the search and rescue efforts last night, I thought, mahirap na.

Transportation Secretary Mar Roxas says government is still hoping for Robredo’s rescue but with darkness setting in, it was forced to again suspend the diving and aerial search overnight. 

Secretary Robredo’s family and friends are still praying for his rescue.

But with the sun setting, his brother admits that their hopes are also dimming.

Ayee Macaraig, Rappler, Masbate. – Rappler.com

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