Coast Guard sends team to look for Robredo, companions

Members of the rescue team searching for missing DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo and two other persons on board a light plane that crashed off Masbate City Saturday. Photo courtesy of Philippine National Red Cross

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) sent search and rescue teams late Saturday afternoon to look for Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jesse Robredo and his companions who were on board the plane that crashed near Masbate City.

PCG Bicol District commander Commodore Joel Garcia said that the plane reportedly crashed at 5:15 p.m., some three kilometers away from the shoreline.

An unidentified passenger of the plane has been recovered and brought to the Ospital ng Masbate for medical treatment, he said, adding that they were still looking for Robredo.

“The plane reportedly had to make an emergency landing, but it did not make it to the airport of Masbate. It crashed near the beach resort of Masbate,” said Garcia.

He added that two PCG search and rescue teams have already been dispatched in the area, along with Special Operations Group (SOG) divers from Masbate.

There were also eight motor boats scouring the area, he said.