MANILA, Philippines – Following news of a US ship joining efforts to rescue victims of a sea mishap off Rombon, Philippine Air Force aircraft were tapped on Monday to conduct aerial search for possible survivors from the ill-fated MV Princess of the Stars that capsized off Sibuyan Island.
Armed Forces vice chief Lieutenant General Cardoso Luna said several aircraft – including two helicopters and a fixed wing aircraft from the Air Force – were deployed to the general area where the vessel capsized.
“In relation to the MV Princess of the Stars incident, two helicopters are now on search and rescue mission. An S76, this is a fixed wing aircraft, flew from Cebu to augment the search and rescue mission in the area," Luna said.
Luna, who heads the military disaster response task group, also said aside from these aircraft, two Navy islanders are doing aerial reconnaissance at the vicinity of the sunken ship.
Luna said two Navy ships are on the way to Sibuyan town to augment search and rescue operations headed by the Philippine Coast Guard. At present, he said only one Navy ship is in the area.
“And I’d like to inform everybody that all land sea and air units in Southern Luzon command and Central Command in the Visayas region are alerted to monitor and extend assistance to all the survivors," Luna said.
In Iloilo, Luna said two C130 transport planes have been tapped to conduct relief missions. “Two helicopters are on aerial reconnaissance and rescue mission and all the ground troops in Panay island would continue conducting disaster response and relief operations," he said.
“In other part of the country, all AFP units nationwide will continue conducting DRRO (disaster
response and rescue operations) in their respective area of operation," said Luna.
Leave Your Comments