OFWs lament official's death, say he was role model of good governanceRonaldo Z. Concha Saudi Gazette JEDDAH — Filipinos in Saudi Arabia describe the late Secretary Jesse Robredo of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) as a noble person because of his worthy services to his country and as well as to his family. Everybody felt sorry when they heard about the demise of Robredo. In Jeddah, Eduardo Katimbang who is a kababayan (compatriot) of Robredo in the Bicol province and also an active Filipino community leader said that the sudden death of the secretary was very sad for all Pinoys and particularly Nagaue?os. According to Katimbang, the country has lost a wise and humble leader who believed in fighting for people's rights. “We recall his humility and selfless public service to our country. May he rest in peace, our deepest sympathy to his family," Katimbang said. In Najran province, community leader Ronald Delacruz also expressed his sympathy for the family of the late DILG Secretary. “On behalf of the Filipino community in Najran, our sincere condolences to Robredo who was a real statesman. We seldom see this kind of personality in our government and we will surely miss him." Elizabeth Rizare Apuyan, another OFW in Jeddah, said she cannot wholly express her grief. “It is really so sad losing a great man, a noble kababayan — the pride of not only Bicolanos but of all Filipinos. Sec. Robredo, may you rest in peace in God's hands." “Secretary Robredo's death is a great loss not only to his family but also for our country," said Reynaldo Jr Sunga, another OFW. Dhong Decena of Guardians Brotherhood Inc. acknowledged Robredo's honesty in his work. He said the late secretary was one of the best examples of a clean and honest Filipino public officials. Robredo, who died in a plane crash on August 18, was buried yesterday. It was declared a special non-working holiday in his home province Naga City, Camarines Sur. President Benigno Aquino III led the country in mourning for Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo. Robredo was flying to Naga from the central Philippines where he was on an official trip, when the plane developed engine trouble, fell short of the runway and plunged into the sea. The late Secretary is survived by his wife Leni and three daughters aged 13, 18 and 24. Robredo's aide survived the crash with non-life-threatening injuries after hauling himself out of the plane as it was about to sink. Fishermen plucked him out of the water. The bodies of the two pilots — Filipino Jessup Bahinting and Nepalese Kshitiz Chand — were recovered later from the sunken fuselage.
