Transportation Secretary Mar Roxas has confirmed that technical divers have recovered the body of Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo from the wreckage of the ill-fated Piper Seneca plane in the waters of Masbate at about 7:45 a.m. Tuesday about 180 feet below sea level.
Roxas, in a press briefing, said the divers found Robredo’s body near the door of the plane which was lying upside-down. Divers also found the pilot Capt. Jessup Bahinting and his co-pilot Kshitiz Chand in the cockpit. The Piper Seneca was found about 800 meters from the shoreline. Retrieval operations are still going on.
The body of Robredo reached the surface at about 8:15 a.m. and was loaded on a rubber boat.
After confirming the body as that of Robredo, Roxas said he immediately informed President Benigno S. Aquino III.
Roxas said it was the President who broke the news to Robredo’s wife, Atty. Leni Robredo.
Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said MalacaƱang is mourning the death of Robredo, describing him as one of the “finest” government officials.






