Flags in all Manila gov’t offices lowered at half-mast for Robredo

DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim directed all government offices in the city Tuesday to fly their Philippine flags at half-mast as a show of respect for the passing of Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo.

Lim’s ordered for the city’s public schools and city-run offices, including police stations would stay for the entire week.

Robredo, 54, was heading to his hometown of Naga City on Saturday from Cebu City, where he had met with local officials, when one of the plane’s engines stalled 30 minutes into the flight. The plane crashed as it attempted an emergency landing at the Masbate airport.

An aide of Robredo made a dramatic escape from the plane as it sank and was rescued by fishermen and later helped in the search.

The massive search involving 600 coast guard, police and military personnel backed by dozens of civilians ended after a foreign deep sea volunteer diver saw the wreckage.

“Manila joins the whole country and the family of Secretary Robredo in mourning…,” Lim said as he praised the late Cabinet official a man of integrity.

He said the country “lost a good man and a good public servant today,” noting that Robredo died in the line of duty.