Security tightened at Naga basilica for Robredo’s state funeral

Security was tightened at the Basilica Minore de Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia in Naga City where the state funeral for the late Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo is to take place Tuesday. President Benigno Aquino III is to give a eulogy and lead the state funeral.

 

The Philippine National Police set up checkpoints around the basilica as part of the security preparations, radio dzBB's Benjie Liwanag Jr. reported.

 

The heightened security notwithstanding, Filipinos continued to flock to the basilica to pay their last respects to Robredo, dzBB's Allan Gatus said in a separate report.

 

Some mourners slept out in the open, while others came from Novaliches in Quezon City and as far away as central Luzon in order to pay their last respects, the report added.

 

The mourners were aware that they had only until 7 a.m. to get a last glimpse of Robredo, who died in a plane crash last August 18.

 

State funeral itinerary

 

Malacañang released a new bulletin disclosing more details about Tuesday's state funeral.

 

It said a 10 a.m. concelebrated requiem Mass will be officiated by Fr. Manuel Nicolas and Fr. Kulandairaj Ambrose of the Missionaries of the Poor (MOP).

 

The Mass will be followed by the conferment of the Philippine Legion of Honor (posthumous) on Robredo, then by Aquino's eulogy.

 

At the state funeral, the casket bearing the remains of Robredo will be escorted from the Basilica Minore de Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia to the Funeraria Imperial.

 

The Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police will then render departure and arrival honors.

 

Music for the funeral cortege will be rendered by the PNP Band with the following playlist:

 

1. In Memoriam by Antonino Buenaventura

2. Funeral March by Frederic Chopin

3. Himlayan by Lucio San Pedro

4. Nearer my God to Thee by Lowell Mason

 

Eight honorary pallbearers will escort the casket bearing the remains of Robredo:

 

1. Justice Secretary Leila de Lima

2. Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson

3. Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman

4. Energy Secretary Rene Almendras

5. Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda

6. Presidential Peace Process Adviser Teresita Deles

7. Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Francis Tolentino

8. Mindanao Development Authority Chairperson Luwalhati Antonino

— AE/DVM, GMA News