Philippines intensifies search for missing interior minister
Manila - Philippine President Benigno Aquino III on Sunday flew to an eastern coastal city to oversee search operations for the interior minister missing after a plane crash at sea.
Hundreds of divers, fishermen and volunteers scoured the waters off Masbate City, 390 kilometres south-east of Manila, in search of Jesse Robredo, 54, and two pilots of the Piper Seneca aircraft.
More than 30 vessels and boats were taking part in the operation, according to the Office of Civil Defence.
"We are still hoping to find him floating around, holding on to some debris," said Transportation Secretary Mar Roxas. "We are doing everything to find out what really happened to him." When asked about the chances that Robredo was still alive, Roxassaid, "Prayers, let's just pray." Robredo's aide Jhun Abrasado was rescued by a fisherman shortly after the plane crashed Saturday while attempting to make an emergency landing at the Masbate City airport.
It was en route from the central city of Cebu to eastern Naga City, but diverted after the pilots reported engine trouble and requested an emergency landing.//DPA
