Task force created for missing plane, pilots

MANILA, Philippines – The Western Command on Wednesday set up Joint Task Force Bronco to locate the missing two Air Force pilots of OV-10 plane that crashed on Sunday off Puerto Princesa City.

First Lieutenant Cheryl Tindog, Wescom spokesperson, said that Lieutenant General Rustico Guerrero ordered Wednesday the official activation of the Joint Task Force Bronco to be led by 570th Composite Tactical Wing Commander Brigadier General Conrado Parra Jr.

The task force will oversee the search, rescue and retrieval operations of the ill-fated OV-10 Bronco 630 and its two pilots– Major Jonathan Ybanez and First Lieutenant Abner Trust Nacion.

“Naval, air and ground units of the AFP in the province shall compose the JTF Bronco and put in effect all necessary and possible means to locate and retrieve the missing aircraft and pilots,” Tindog said.

She added that the search team has turned over more debris to the 570th Composite Tactical Wing Wednesday morning “which will be subject to technical procedures” to determine whether these were from the ill-fated plane.

Search and rescue operations have continued amid heavy rains since 10 a.m., Tindog added.

“Western Command maintains high hopes for positive results from the search operations with the employment of the sonar equipment which was contracted by the Philippine Air Force to augment and complement the equipment being used by the search team,” she also said.