Still hurting, Robredo aide says he’s moved on

The Late Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo. FILE PHOTO

MASBATE CITY, Philippines—June Abrazado said he has moved on.

But it was not easy, said the close-in security aide of the late Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo, having had to meet with people who have blamed him for the tragic death of the beloved public figure.

Abrazado is the lone survivor of the plane crash on Aug. 18, 2012, that killed his boss and two pilots.

Abrazado said he is still hurting from accusations that he abandoned his boss during the tragedy. The police lieutenant, now assigned in Camp Crame, said he is thankful that Robredo’s widow, Rep. Leni Robredo, believed him when he said otherwise.

Abrazado on Saturday joined Leni in a sentimental journey to Masbate to commemorate Robredo’s first death anniversary.

After a year, a lot of things have changed in his life, he said.

He has become at peace with himself now, he said, except at times when he would meet people he knew who would tell him other versions of the story of the plane crash.

“From time to time, I find myself explaining to them what really happened because there were many versions that came out. I do not know where they came from or how they were able to know what happened when only I knew what happened,” he said.

“They accused me of jumping off the plane and that I dropped Sir Jesse from my grip to save myself,” Abrazado said.

It was far from the truth, he said. He said he lost sight of Robredo when the plane crashed off the waters of Masbate.

He said the reason he is at peace is because he did not see what happened to Robredo. Had he seen his boss and left him dead or dying, Abrazado said he would have been bothered forever.