The plane carrying the Philippine Interior Minister crashed.
Philippine Interior Minister Jesse Robredo and three others have gone missing after a small plane carrying them crashed...
Philippine Interior Minister Jesse Robredo and three others went missing after a small plane carrying them crashed into the sea off Masbate Island in central Philippines on the afternoon of August 18. At least one person was rescued from the crash.
Minister of Home Affairs
Philippine Transportation Secretary Manuel Roxas said the plane carrying Interior Secretary Robredo took off on the afternoon of August 18 from Cebu City in central the Philippines, and while en route to Naga City, Robredo's hometown in Camarines Sur province, the pilot announced an emergency landing at Masbate airport. However, while attempting to land, the plane unexpectedly crashed into the sea near the island.
Before the plane crashed into the sea, an assistant of Mr. Robredo jumped from the aircraft and was rescued. Search and rescue operations are currently underway.
Local military spokesman Colonel Generoso Bolina said there were four people on board the plane. Besides Robredo's assistant, who was rescued, Robredo and the two pilots are still missing. Colonel Bolina said the plane's engine malfunctioned, forcing the pilots to attempt an emergency landing in Masbate, but they were unsuccessful.
Interior Secretary Robredo is one of the cabinet members closest to Philippine President Benigno Aquino and a strong supporter of Aquino's 2010 presidential campaign.
According to VNA-M
