Maximum efforts are being made to find Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Sec. Jesse Robredo, who is still missing after his plane crashed off Masbate late this afternoon.

The US government has responded to the Philippine’s call for help. As of 10:15 pm, an airplane with Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) capability is expected to arrive over the site in two hours while the second airplane will come from Japan and will take five hours to reach the site.

IFR capability refers to aircraft types that can handle deepwater maritime search and rescue operations in difficult weather conditions.

Sec. Mar Roxas of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC) is the official spokesperson on the search and rescue efforts for Sec. Jesse.

PNP divers are continuing rescue operations, as well as Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Coast Guard and rescue teams of the local government. The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) has been activated, and the Bureau of Fire Protection, DILG regional and provincial directors are also helping.

The DILG Secretary was in Cebu earlier in the day for the first founding anniversary of the Community Investigative Support (CIS) and National Summit. He was on his way to his hometown of Naga City when the plane that he and his companions were riding crashed.

The DILG is grateful for the outpouring of support and assistance from local and barangay officials, the rescue teams, the Red Cross, private groups, individuals, and the media.

The DILG family is requesting the public to continue to pray for the successful rescue and safety of Sec. Robredo.

DILG Central News Archive DILG Regional News Archive