DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo's Plane Crashes Off Masbate

Jesse Robredo Plane Crash:

A private plane carrying DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo reportedly crashed in the sea off Masbate City Saturday afternoon, said radio and television reports.

"At the present time, search and rescue operations are ongoing for the aircraft carrying Secretary of the Interior Jesse Robredo, an aide, and the pilot of the plane," Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said. "The aircraft was off the coast of Masbate when contact was lost earlier today. We will be updating the public as details are confirmed: speculation is not useful at this point."

The story is still developing and there are no other information available as of posting time.

Update: According to People's Television (PTV), Secretary Robredo was with two pilots and aide named Jun Abrazado. Abrazado has been found alive.

Rescuers are still searching for the pilots and Secretary Robredo.

PTV reported that Sec. Robredo was on board a Cessna 172. It added that one of the pilots sent a distress call to Masbate Airport at around 5pm requesting for an emergency landing. The plane did not make it to the airport as it crashed 3 kilometers from the airport in Masbate Bay.

Below are more updates from PTV:

7:43 p.m. - Masbate Gov. Lanete reported that rescue ops for Sec. Robredo temporarily halted due to visibility, "too dark to continue"

7:46 p.m. - Visual search will continue despite diving rescue temporarily halted

9:01 p.m. - JMRobredo 9pm Update. Recd &accepted offer of help via US Naval Attache Capt Jack Sutherland - USG has a Fleet Survey team presently at Site

9:02 p.m - Site is 200m from shoreline. Surface SaR ongoing. Also Diving search resumed using compressors. They have obtained compressors fm the area..