PHNO-HL: DILG CHIEF ROBREDO, 2 PILOTS MISSING IN MASBATE PLANE CRASH

DILG CHIEF ROBREDO, 2 PILOTS MISSING IN MASBATE
PLANE CRASH
MANILA, AUGUST 21, 2012 (PHILSTAR) By Mike
Frialde - Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Manalastas Robredo was
reported missing in a plane crash off Masbate City, Saturday afternoon.
Philippine National Police chief, Director General Nicanor Bartolome said
Robredo, his police aide-de-camp Senior Inspector Jun Abrazado and two pilots
were aboard a Piper Ceneca PA 34-200 plane and was en route from Cebu City to
Naga City when the incident happened at 4:30 p.m.
The two pilots were identified as Captain Jessup Bahinting and Nepalese
flight student Kshitiz Chand.
The secretary attended a gathering of civilian volunteers with his
undersecretary, Rico Puno, in Cebu and was trying to catch up with the awarding
ceremony of his daughter who had won a sports competition in their hometown in
Naga City.
Robredo was the city's mayor before he was appointed by President Benigno
Aquino III as interior secretary in 2010.
Bartolome said that based on the statements of Abrazado who was rescued by
passing fishermen, the plane was just about 30 minutes away from Cebu City when
it encountered a problem.
Bartolome said the plane's pilots then decided to make an emergency landing
at the Masbate City airport. However, it missed the runway and crashed into the
waters.
"Di umabot sa runway yung plane nila. About 300 meters from the airport
bumagsak sa tubig," said Bartolome.
Abrazado confirmed that Robredo and the two pilots are still inside the plane
when it crashed.
"This is still a search and rescue operation. I have ordered police divers to
look for the plane. Abrazado knows exactly where the plane went down," said
Bartolome.
Bartolome said the search and rescue operation is being headed by
Superintendent Jeffrey Fernandez, Masbate deputy provincial director.
The Philippine Coast Guard immediately launched a search and rescue
operation. There were reports that the search was halted, but the PCG clarified
that it has been ongoing as of this posting.
The Philippine Navy and the Philippine National Police Maritime Group have
sent ships and divers' teams at the crash site.
Meanwhile, Transportation Secretary Mar Roxas announced through Twitter that
the United States' navy will join the search and rescue for the missing
secretary and the two pilots.
Roxas announced: "Received and accepted offer of help via US Naval Attache
Captain Jack Sutherland."
He said that a US navy fleet survey team has arrived at the crash site as of
9 p.m.


Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
© Copyright, 2012 by PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE
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rights reserved




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