NAGA CITY, Philippines – They were hopeful in the morning of the third day since Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo went missing.

Volunteers on Tuesday, August 21, said their gut feelings were strong that he was still alive.

The mood changed within seconds in Naga.

Mediamen gathered around a small television as Transportation Secretary Mar Roxas confirmed from Masbate that one of the bodies found earlier in the morning was Robredo’s.

This was how guests outside the Robredo residence found out about the news around 9:15 am, about an hour after the family inside was notified by a phone call from President Benigno Aquino III.

I can’t adequately describe the atmosphere here. You can feel the devastation of the loss. Naga truly loved this man. #salamatjesse

— Natashya Gutierrez (@natashya_g) August 21, 2012

Shock

Despite it being the third day since Robredo’s plane crashed, people were in shock at the news.

Most stared blankly at the screen. It took several long minutes before the tears started to fall.

Volunteers began to cry as the news dawned on them.

Within minutes, an empty Robredo residence transformed into a frenzy as crowds poured in to support the family of the former Naga City mayor.

Employees from City Hall who used to work with the late secretary shared their memories.

One former Barangay Peñafrancia councilor who was a staff member in Robredo’s city government told Rappler that Robredo had been a great boss.

“Kahit po mga personal na namin na problema, tinatanong kami kung ano mga problema namin, sa opisina, sa aming mga trabaho,” said former government worker Erwin Villacruz. (Even if our problems were personal, he would ask about our problems in the office, about our work)

Heightened security

Upon hearing the news, security guards also started filing into the premises.

Security barricades were set up outside the gate to control the influx of people, while officials guarding the two entrances were doubled.

Police trainee Rowel Buendia, who is stationed outside the main door to Robredo’s house, said he was given instructions to be strict with the people who wanted to come in to see the family.

He said they were still allowed to come in but had to be largely controlled.

“Limitado lang po,” he said. Buendia was assigned to the residence for the first time on Tuesday. (It’s limited.)

Ieza Rafer – another of the 15-20 security officers guarding the residence – said about 200 visitors have come in and out daily in the past two days.

She said they are expecting more than double, hence the beefing up of security.

Robredo family spokesperson Jun Lavadia said the viewing of his remains will begin at 5pm, at the Archbishop Palace here in Naga.

Robredo’s body is on its way from Masbate to Naga as of 12:20 pm, Tuesday.

Family to recieve remains

Robredo’s family is now on its way to the airport to receive the remains of the late DILG chief. They will meet there with Aquino and his cabinet members.

Presidential Security Group officials also came to the Robredo residence, and asked media to clear the pathway around his house after his family’s departure. They did not confirm whether the President will be coming to the Robredo home.

No family members have spoken to press yet, and former solicitor general Joel Cadiz told journalists to respect the privacy of the family.

“They are grieving,” he said of Robredo’s family after coming outside of the house. “He was a good man.”

Atty. Leni Robredo, the wife of the deceased Secretary, spoke to media for the first time on Monday to thank them for the support. She asked for continuous prayers.

She also said then that she would likely release a statement once any major developments came in. – Rappler.com

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