Robredo’s final blessing came from a friend

MASBATE CITY, Philippines – “Here we are, a friend blessing a friend.”

These were the words of Father Leo Casas as he blessed the remains of his friend for over 10 years, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo. Casas said the final blessings for Robredo on Tuesday, August 21, at the Funeraria Eternas in this city.

Casas told Rappler that at about 9:30 am, he got a call from a person he refused to name.

“Somebody called me if I can bless the body. Sabi ko, ‘Anong body? Sabi nila, iyan na daw po.” (I asked, ‘What body?’ They said this was it.)

Robredo’s body was retrieved in the waters of Masbate at about 8:15 a.m., 3 days after his plane crashed. Search teams are still trying to retrieve the bodies of the two pilots who were with him.

Casas was among the few who were allowed to open Robredo’s steel casket. Transportation and Communications Secretary Mar Roxas barred him from talking about the details of the ceremony but Casas said he could not help but be emotional.

“I can’t describe the feeling. Tears started to flow,” Casas said. “Napakasakit but the mere fact nag-bless ka, you entrusted him to God. ‘Yun din ang nagpalakas sa akin but human as we are, di ko mapigilan umiyak. Sabi ko, ‘Bakit nagkaganito?” (It’s so painful but the mere fact that I was blessing him, I entrusted him to God. That strengthened me but human as we are, I could not help but cry. I said, “Why did this happen?”)

Close friends

Casas has known Robredo even before he entered priesthood. He was a student in Naga and got to know the then Naga Mayor. Ever since, the two became close friends and allies in pushing for peace and development in Masbate. Casas is now a leader of Caritas Masbate.

Masbate is a hotspot of election-related violence. Casas said Robredo was supporting efforts of NGOs to create a group for citizen empowerment that will help change local politics.

Casas said, “’Yun din ang tinatanong ng grupo namin: Mahal naman niya ang Masbate, dito pa nangyari sa kanya?” (That’s also the question of our group: he loves Masbate, why did this have to happen here.)

During the blessing, Casas said he would not let Robredo down.

“Sabi ko that he may have a peaceful rest, wherever he may be. Sana masaya siya. Ang last nasabi ko sa kanya, hindi po mapunta sa wala ang pinaglaban niya sa Masbate. Andito pa kami, kung ano ang plano para sa Masbate, for a good, developed, peaceful Masbate, ipagpatuloy namin.” (I said I hope he has a peaceful rest, wherever he may be. I hope he is happy. The last I said was his fight for Masbate will not be put to waste. We are still here. We will pursue his plan for Masbate, for a good, developed, peaceful Masbate. We will continue the fight.) – Rappler.com