Search on for plane; six missing in Sierra Madre

By Ma. Cristina Arayata 

CAUAYAN, Isabela -- Search operations continue two weeks after a Cessna plane went missing in Isabela province, an official of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) bared on Tuesday.
    "The search started last Jan. 24. Until now, we haven't found it," CAAP Deputy Director General Edgardo Diaz said in a public briefing in Manila.
    Search operations are being done with the military, civic organizations and the local government.
    Six people are aboard the RPC1174 Cessna 206 plane that has been missing after leaving the Cauayan Airport. Authorities reported that the plane's last contact with the air traffic controller was at 2:19 p.m. last Jan. 24 when the aircraft was within the vicinity of Naguilian Bridge in Isabela.
    It was supposed to reach Maconacon Airport at 2:45 p.m., but no response was received from the aircraft.
    "We are following the Civil Aviation Organization's regulations. The search will continue until those conducting the operations are not officially declaring the termination of search operations," Diaz said.
    The Philippine Air Force (PAF), Philippine Coast Guard, the provincial government of Isabela, and other volunteer groups are helping CAAP in searching for the missing plane, he said.
    Meanwhile, CAAP spokesperson Eric Apolonio said two PAF helicopters flew near Mount Moises in Isabela on Tuesday.
    However, they went back to base due to low clouds and poor visibility, Apolonio told the Philippine News Agency.
    Apolonio added that two PAF helicopters and another two aircraft were dispatched on Monday to assist in the operations, but the search effort "has not turned up anything conclusive about the location of RPC1174." -- PNA