Search on for missing light plane in Isabela

By Liezle Basa Inigo

SAN MARIANO, Isabela -- Authorities have stepped search for the missing Cessna 206 light plane in this province.
    The Philippine Army, Philippine National Police, and the Bureau of Fire and Protection scoured Barangays Sapinit and Dicambangan in Divilacan and Barangay Dibuluan in San Mariano, Isabela on Thursday, Jan. 26, for the single engine plane with registry number RP-C 1174.
    A report from the Police Regional Office 2 said a search-and-rescue team from the Maconacon, Isabela police and 1st Isabela Police Provincial Mobile Force went to Barangay Dicambangan to conduct information gathering at 5:30 a.m.
    In the afternoon, a SAR team from Divilacan police and BFP proceeded to Barangay Dicaroyan in Divilacan for the same purpose.
    Two Philippine Air Force choppers were dispatched to conduct SAR.
    The plane went missing a few minutes after departing the Cauayan City Airport for Maconacon with six people on board on Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 24.
    A local radio station reported that the plane left Cauayan City at 2:16 p.m. and was scheduled to land in Maconacon 30 minutes later.
    The radio station identified the occupants of the plane as Eleazar Mark Joven, pilot, and passengers Tom Josthle Manday, Val Kamatoy, Mark Eiron Siguerra, Xam Siguerra, and Josefa Perla Espana.
Constante Foronda, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer of Isabela, said they immediately conducted aerial surveillance on the missing plane but found nothing.
    It was reported that the pilot bared their final location in a part of Naguilian, Isabela.
    Another plane did not travel due to turbulence.
    Foronda urged the public if there are sightings of the plane to inform the PDRRMO and authorities.
    The 5th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army reported that PAF-TOG2 commander Col. Sadiri Tabutol said they will continue search and rescue operations when the weather improves.
Weather will be cloudy due to easterlies.
    Rain was recorded in areas where the plane passed.