Robredo remains depart Naga City Hall, en route to basilica

Amid solemn departure honors, the remains of the late Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo started departing Naga City Hall past 8 a.m. Monday, to be transferred to the Basilica Minore de Peñafrancia.

 

Robredo's remains were loaded on a vehicle that would pass several streets before arriving at the basilica at 10 a.m., radio dzBB's Allan Gatus reported.

 

Honor guards from the Philippine National Police kept watch over the casket bearing Robredo's remains during the trip to the basilica.

 

Earlier Monday, authorities ended the vigil at City Hall at 7 a.m. to make way for the departure honors.

 

Many Naga residents had flocked to City Hall to pay their respects to Robredo, whose remains arrived there Sunday. Robredo served as Naga mayor for 19 years.

 

Robredo died in a plane crash in Masbate last Aug. 18. The crash also killed the plane's pilot and co-pilot. Only Robredo's aide survived the crash.

 

Following the transfer, public viewing and vigil at the basilica will resume at 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., when the archdiocese will offer a Mass for Robredo.

 

The public viewing and vigil will then resume at 6 p.m. until midnight. –KG, GMA News