The Philippine Coast Guard in Bacolod City yesterday called on Negrense fishermen fishing in Masbate waters to immediately report to authorities any sightings of plane debris, which could possibly help in the search for Local Government Secretary Jessie Robredo and two pilots.

Lt. Commander Dominador Senador, PCG-Bacolod head, said fishing vessels from Cadiz City in Negros Occidental fish in Masbate.

The chartered plane carrying Robredo from Cebu to Naga City crashed in Masbate waters Saturday, and he and pilots Jessup Bahinting and Kshitiz Chand, were still missing as of press time.

Negros Occidental officials yesterday said they were still hoping Robredo is alive and are praying for a miracle for him and the two pilots.

The University of St. La Salle in Bacolod last night held a mass and prayer vigil for Robredo and the pilots, and will include prayers for them in subsequent masses at the university chapel, Bro. Raymundo Suplido, USLS president, said.

Suplido said Robredo was a dynamic, successful and humble leader, it would be a terrible waste to lose him.

Robredo is an alumnus of the College of Engineering of De   La Salle   University at Taft Avenue, Manila, and served on the Board of Trustees of the De La Salle Professional Schools, Suplido added.

Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. said he sympathizes with the families of Robredo and the two pilots and calls on everyone to pray that they are still alive.

“Robreo was a very industrious, good and considerate person. He is one civil servant really needed by government and it would be big loss if he is not found alive”, the governor said.

Rep. Mercedes Alvarez (Neg. Occ, 6 th District) said “I'm still praying for the secretary. Miracles do happen.”

“I'm still hoping that he can be found,” Rep. Alejandro Mirasol (Neg. Occ., 5 th District) said.

Rep. Alfredo Marañon III said Robredo is a good public servant and an upright man, and his prayers are for his rescue.

Rep. Alfredo Abelaro Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3r District) also said he is hopeful and praying.

Robredo's eldest daughter, Jessica Mae “Aika”, told the media yesterday they were hopeful that her father was safe somewhere but at the same “realistic because he has been missing for three days.”

Military helicopters expanded the areas they were surveying while divers scoured the seas near Masbate to locate the plane carrying Robredo.

President Benigno Aquino spent yesterday in Masbate to monitor the search for Robredo, and flew to Naga City in the afternoon to brief the secretary's family on efforts being taken.

Transport Secretary Mar Roxas, who is monitoring the search, conceded, "there has been no positive news".

But he told reporters “We don't want to give the wrong impression. We are still on a search-and-rescue (mission)."

"We are hoping we might spot something on an isolated coast somewhere," he added.

The US government has offered to send a special "remote operating vehicle" to reach places too deep for divers while three foreign volunteers trained in deep diving are also assisting, Roxas said.

Asked when the government would give up its search, Roxas replied: "It will happen when it happens."

In Manila, Aquino's spokesman Edwin Lacierda stressed that the government was still functioning despite the tragedy, stressing that Aquino had the time to go to Masbate because yesterday was a public holiday.*CPG/AFP

back to top