Air ambulance missing in Palawan

MANILA, Philippines — A helicopter used for medical evacuation was reported missing after taking off from Mangsee Island in Balabac, Palawan yesterday, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).

In a message to The STAR, the CAAP said the Alouette helicopter operated by Philippine Adventist Medical Aviation Services went missing at about 9 a.m.

The helicopter took off at around 7:30 a.m. after picking up a patient on Mangsee Island.

The helicopter was on its way to the Southern Palawan Provincial Hospital in Brooke’s Point when it was reported missing.

Aside from the pilot, the helicopter was carrying a nurse, a patient and two other persons.

The CAAP said search and rescue operations are ongoing.

Cessna plane crash victims brought down from Mayon

Meanwhile, responders started bringing down yesterday the remains of four passengers of a Cessna plane that crashed on Mayon Volcano.

Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office chief Cedric Daep said one of the bodies was expected to be brought down from the slopes of Mayon early last night.

One of the bodies was brought down from the crash site to the Forest Ranger station early last night.

“If the improved weather continues, we are expecting that all the bodies will be brought down today,” Daep said.

He lauded the responders for setting up anchors and ropes along the treacherous terrain of the volcano.

He said it was agreed to bring down the cadavers on foot, which is considered the safest given the weather condition and rugged terrain.

Camalig Mayor Carlos Baldo said 20 responders were assigned to each cadaver as recommended by Daep to ensure a safe descent.

Four teams of responders are composed of personnel of the Naval Special Operations Group, Bureau of Fire Protection-Search and Rescue Force, Philippine Air Force and Philippine Army as well as mountaineers, local guides and porters.

The Philippine National Police provided ground security and crowd control in priority areas.

“We advised them to take a rest if they feel exhausted,” Baldo said.

The ill-fated plane, which has four passengers, two of them Australian consultants of the Energy Development Corp., crashed on Feb. 18. – Cet Dematera