US sends team to Masbate to help in search, rescue of Robredo, 2 others in plane crash

Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Transportation and Communications Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas on Saturday said that they accepted the offer of a United States survey team in the rescue efforts to locate Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo and two others after the plane they were in crashed in the waters off Masbate.

Relaying the information on his Twitter account, Roxas said the offer of assistance was made by US Naval Attache Captain Jack Sutherland, whose ship was on its way to the crash site from Cavite. He said that diving search operations continued contrary to earlier reports.

More rescue personnel from the Philippine Coast Guard were en route to Masbate, according to its spokesman Lieutenant Commander Algier Ricafrente. Authorities are eyeing engine trouble as the cause of the crash of the Piper Seneca plane.

Authorities said that Robredo’s aide, Superintendent Jun Abrazado, was able to slip out of the plane when it broke in half.

Chief Superintendent Arne delos Santos said that they have yet to confirm information received by the family of the DILG secretary that he has been rescued by fishermen.