The Philippine Times received this message from the Philippine Consulate of Victoria over the passing of Philippine Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo:
Mga kababayan.
Last 18 August 2012, we have lost a great man- a hero who was a man for others. He proved his worth not by word but by deed. DILG Sec. Jesse M Robredo died in a plane crash off the coast of Masbate.
Malacañang has opened a “Book of Condolence” for Robredo for Philippine embassies and consulates around the world to give diplomats and overseas Filipinos the chance to send their and sympathies to the families and friends of Robredo.
Your Philippine Consulate of Victoria will be open to receive your messages of sympathy this 24 August and on Monday, 27 August at the Philippine Consulate office, 1205/1 Queens Road, Melbourne from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Let us continue to pray for Sec. Jesse and all the heroes who have come before him.
For those who cannot physically make it to the Consulate, you are encouraged to use the unified hashtag #salamatjesse for your Twitter messages. Malacanang also invite all those who wish to share their thoughts, memories, and messages of sympathy for the Robredo family to please visit www.gov.ph/salamatjesse.
Paalam, Jesse. Marami ang nagmamahal at humahanga sa iyo. Hindi ka namin malilimutan.
The Filipino People is very proud to have such a great man: Sec. Jesse Robredo– man with principle, dignity, great honor and a religious man. Serving the people with sincerity, dedication and without personal interest in his job as a public servant. An ideal and loving father and husband. He is a great lost to us Bicolanos as well as to our Nation. We Salute to you Sec. Robredo! 🙂