Robredo’s remains arrive in Malacañang

MANILA, Philippines (3rd UPDATE) – The remains of the late Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo have arrived in Malacañang, where a two-day wake will be held for him.

President Benigno Aquino III, along with his Cabinet, led the honors for Robredo’s body and welcomed his wife and three daughters upon their arrival at the Palace grounds. Robredo’s casket was carried to Kalayaan Hall at around 11:30 am on Friday, August 24, for memorial services and public viewing. 

All are welcome to pay their last respects to Robredo. Public viewing will run from 7 pm to 11 pm on Friday, and 8 am to 5 pm on Saturday, August 25.

His body was flown to Manila from Naga City via a chartered flight that landed at the Villamor Airbase at around 10:20 am Friday.

It received arrival honors from the Armed Forces of the Philippines. (Rappler is livestreaming Robredo’s wake. To watch, click this link.)

The military honors involved the following elements, according to the latest bulletin from the Palace:

• a flag-draped casket – the national flag is draped on the casket which is later folded and presented by the President to the widow
• vigil guard detail – two members of the uniformed service stand guard by the casket
• firing detail – a 19-gun salute, rendered to officials of Secretary rank; and musketry, a 3-volley salute
• taps – a musical piece sounded during funerals involving the trumpet and bugle.

Robredo, 54, died with two others after their plane crashed into sea off Masbate City on August 18 while en route to his hometown Naga, from Cebu.

Earlier on Friday, the late secretary received departure honors from the Philippine National Police in Naga. His wake was first held in the Archbishop’s Palace in the city, which he once led as long-time mayor.

On Sunday, August 26, Robredo’s body will be flown back to his hometown. His family has chosen to bury him there on Tuesday, August 28, instead of the proposed Libingan ng mga Bayani (Cemetery for Heroes). Departure honors will be held in Malacañang before the body is taken to Villamor where it will be boarded on another chartered flight. Separate departure honors will take place in Villamor before the body is flown to Naga.

These ceremonies form part of Robredo’s state funeral, the highest kind the government can give its citizens. – Rappler.com, with reports from Patricia Evangelista and Ayee Macaraig

Related Stories:

• Leni Robredo to Jesse: Rest well, we love you forever
• Aquino to Robredo: Mission accomplished
• #SalamatJesse: tributes to the late Jesse Robredo
• Homily at the requiem mass for Sec Jesse Robredo
• [VLOG] Carmela Fonbuena: Robredo’s last day in Naga
• Nation bids final farewell to Robredo
• Aika Robredo: Family ‘at peace’
• The day Naga found out Robredo died
• National Days of Mourning for Robredo
• Jesse Robredo’s journey back home
• PNoy’s promises to Robredo’s wife