All accounted for

It was a relief to hear that the body of the young Nepalese pilot had also been found. It seems strange that it was found, not inside the plane anymore, but already floating somewhere away from the wreckage. But, at least, he was recovered, and the family of Kshitiz Chand must be very grateful that no effort was spared by both our government and the volunteers from other countries, to ensure that none of the three victims would be forever lost at sea.

***

It was also gratifying to see the expression of his father, who had flown over as soon as the tragedy occurred, upon finally being able to identify his son. One could not help being touched as he stuttered his gratitude to all those who had helped, some even risking their own lives, to locate the body. Even if this confirmed that his son was gone, at least there is closure for him and his family. Kshitiz was an aspiring pilot, and he was said to be studying under the Aviatour owner, and pilot of the ill-fated flight, Jessup Bahinting.

***

There is something about the crash of the Piper Seneca plane in Masbate while it was carrying Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo, his aide June Paulo Abrazado, and the two pilots, Bahinting and Chand. I noted that both the families of Robredo and Bahinting are very religious, trusting and God-fearing. Mrs. Leni Robredo is admirable in her calm acceptance of the tragedy and loss, and so is Mrs. Margarita Bahinting, who, I noted, even said she and her husband were supposed to come to Bacolod this week for some church activity.

***

It is very clear now that if Robredo was so committed and so successful in his work, it must have been because of his very supportive, loving and intelligent wife, who sustained him in life, and is now sustaining their children, when he is gone. Not only is Mrs., shall we say, Attorney, Leni Robredo a strong woman, she is also very close to God, to whose will she has entrusted her family. Among the things, she, however, said she rued, was that Robredo would no longer be around to celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Penafrancia, to whom he was very devoted. She worried that his death might cast a pall on the celebration, which will be held next month.

***

I was appalled to hear that there are some people who are blaming June Paulo Abrazado, the aide of Secretary Robredo who survived the crash, for not having done more to save his boss after their plane had crashed into the Masbate sea. That was a mean thing to do to the man who, even when he was already injured and taken away for treatment, still insisted on going back to the area so he cound pinpoint the crash site.

***

His father, who was interviewed yesterday, was on the verge of tears as he said that, in fact, his son had told him that he wished he had died in place of Robredo. As his aide and security man, he said, he would have willingly taken a bullet for Robredo, but never had he imagined that they would be faced with circumstances like a plane crash. I hope people will stop blaming the poor fellow. I also heard that even the youngest daughter of Robredo is blaming herself because she knew that her father was rushing home so he could be present at an important event in her life. Someone should suggest that both Abrazado and Jillian Robredo undergo some sort of de-briefing or psychiatric assistance to help them adjust to the tragedy.

***

Meanwhile, it was also reported that, until now, the aging parents of the secretary have not yet been told about the death of their son. They are said to be waiting for the arrival of his sibling from the U.S. so they can be together when they break the sad news. By the way, there is some hint in the news reports about the plane accident that it might have been caused by the use of diluted fuel. That is horrible, if true. Even the most ordinary person knows that it takes a special kind of fuel to fly a plane. Diluting that is surely a criminal act.

***

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile is right. There is no need to approve a posthumous appointment for Robredo as DILG secretary. He was already appointed by the President, and had been performing the duties of one for about two years, so he was the country’s Local Government Secretary at the time of his death. The ones rushing to confirm his posthumously, especially those who blocked it before, are the ones who should be haunted by their guilt all their lives.*

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