Wife says Robredo called before crash

AT ROBREDO’S RESIDENCE, Naga City—Interior and Local Government Secretary was able to call his wife, Leni, before the small aircraft carrying him and three others crashed in Masbate Bay.

Leni, a lawyer, confirmed that he called at about 4:30 p.m. to say that the airplane was having an engine problem. The call was immediately cut off. There was no contact after that.

At the Robredo residence at Bulusan Street, Dayangdan, Naga City, over a hundred of his family, friends, political allies gathered and kept vigil.

The rosary for his safe return started at 8 p.m. at the living room by his supporters while Leni was closeted inside her bedroom with some close relatives.

At around 7:30 p.m., the crowd erupted in jubilation  - they hugged each other and cried and clapped – when they heard of a radio report that Robredo was found alive by fishermen.

The elation turned to gloom when they learned that the news was not true.

Masbate Vice Governor Vicente Homer Revil, reached by phone, said that at as of 8:30 p.m., Robredo remained missing along with the two pilots.

Revil is heading the group that is scouring the shoreline of Masbate in search of Robredo and the two pilots.

He said they did not know where the information came from that Robredo was found alive by fishermen.