Aquino leaves crash site but massive search continues

AP /Malacanang Photo Bureau

MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang on Monday announced that the search for Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo and his two companions remained an utmost “priority” for President Benigno Aquino III despite his sudden departure from the crash site.

The Palace also denied claims that the Aquino administration had seemingly come to a halt since the light plane carrying the secretary and three others went missing Saturday.

The President, who had been in Masbate City for two days since Sunday to personally oversee the search and rescue (SAR) operations for the Piper Seneca single-engine plane which plunged into waters off Masbate City, was not giving up on Robredo and the two pilots, said Transportation Secretary Mar Roxas.

Roxas told the media at 3:30 p.m. that the President was already en route to Naga City to apprise Robredo’s wife, Maria Leonor, of developments in the search.

Contacted by phone, presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda confirmed this, adding that Aquino would be returning to Malacañang by nightfall.

However, Malacañang was careful not to interpret the President’s departure from the crash site as an indication of anything.

“(The President) will personally brief Leni Robredo of the search and rescue operations in Masbate, and yes, it does not imply any change at this point,” said Lacierda.

Roxas said as much on Twitter.

“P-Noy (President Aquino flying to Naga to personally brief Ma’am Leni on ongoing SAR efforts. Please don’t speculate. His trip does not indicate any new developments or information other than that he wants to personally brief the family on the ongoing efforts,” said Roxas in a series of tweets he posted at past 4 p.m.

Palace officials, including Roxas and Lacierda, said the “search and rescue” operations for the ill-fated plane had not shifted to retrieval operations, with Aquino himself refusing to designate an officer in charge for the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

In an information relayed to Lacierda by Roxas, the latter said that the President had directed Secretaries Roxas, Florencio Abad (budget), Voltaire Gazmin (defense), Ricky Carandang (communications) and Representative Emilio Abaya “to remain in Masbate to direct and ensure continued search and rescue operations.”

“We advise the public that the priority of the authorities at this time is the ongoing search and rescue efforts for Secretary Jesse Robredo and his companions. We assure the public that the normal operations of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, and its attached agencies, continue, and are unhampered by the ongoing rescue effort,” said Lacierda, adding:

“The President will be making further announcements concerning the Department at the proper time.”

Business of governance continues

Asked to comment on claims that the government might be focusing too much on the rescue, neglecting flood victims in Luzon, Lacierda said:

“No. 1, the President is in Masbate right now because, first and foremost, it’s a holiday. We have holidays. In fact, this is totally unexpected. Most of the people in Manila and some of the Cabinet officials were taking their break when this news broke out, and a number of them decided to come home, come back to Metro Manila.

“And so, because it’s a holiday, the President was able to go and oversee the operations in the search and rescue in Masbate. However, the business of governance continues. A number of us who are Cabinet officials are still working and the President is in touch with all his Cabinet officials. So let me assure the public that the business of governance continues and there is no effect as to government functioning.”

Lacierda said that the Cabinet and friends of Robredo “continue to hope and pray for the successful rescue of Secretary Jesse Robredo.”

“The nation’s unity–in concern, in faith, and hope for Secretary Jesse Robredo, Jessup Bahinting, and Kshitiz Chand–is a source of strength for the families of the missing, and all those engaged in search and rescue operations. Let us continue to refrain from speculation and focus on the task at hand. Let us remain steadfast in our compassion, our sense of community, and our resolve,” said Lacierda.