Search and rescue operations for missing Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo remains top concern of President Aquino

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Search and rescue operations for missing Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo remains top concern of President Aquino

MASBATE CITY, Masbate ·

posted 20-Aug-2012 ·

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Photo By Jay Morales

President Benigno S. Aquino III personally checks the condition of plane crash survivor Sr. Insp. Jun Abrasado, aide of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo during a visit at the Masbate Provincial Hospital on Sunday (August 19). On Saturday, the five-seater Piper Seneca aircraft carrying Robredo, the two other still missing pilot Captain Jessup Bahinting and Nepalese co-pilot Kshitiz Chand and Abrasado, tried to make an emergency landing at the Masbate Airport but crashed in the sea near the province coast. Accompanying the President are Transportation and Communications Secretary Manuel Roxas II, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Budget Secretary Florencio Abad. (Malacañang Photo Bureau).

President Benigno S. Aquino III remains “very concerned” on the plight of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo whose chartered plane he took with three others to Naga City from Cebu City crashed off the coastal waters of Masbate City on Saturday, Transportation and Communication Secretary Manual Roxas II said on Monday.

In a press conference at the Command Center in Masbate City, Roxas said the President chose to remain in Masbate City since Sunday to personally oversee the search and rescue operations of Robredo and his companions: Captain Jessup Bahinting, the pilot and CEO of Aviatour Air that owned the aircraft, and Kshitiz Chand, the Nepalese copilot.

“Concerned na concerned siya (President Aquino) Patuloy niya sinusubaybayan, mino-monitor at sinunundan lahat ng mga developments dito sa search and rescue operations na ito.,” Roxas said.

He added that the President saw Robredo not only as a Cabinet Secretary and government worker but a true ally and supporter of his advocacies.

“To quote him (President Aquino): 'Sec. Jesse is not just a kawani sa gobyerno or katrabaho niya. Di lamang personal friend but parang comrade at kasama. Kasama niyang handa na ma-persecute, makulong at sumama sa lahat ng mahahalagang isinulong na adbokasiya para sa kabutihan ng ating bansa,'" Roxas said.

“So emotionally engaged siya dito sa search and rescue na ito. Kita niyo naman ang pangulo, very somber, very serious, very professional and very thorough sa kanyang mga tanong sa military and civilian leaders so very, very concerned siya,” he added.