Passengers of crashed Cessna plane in Bicol confirmed dead—mayor

None of the four aboard the Cessna airplane that crashed near the crater of Mayon Volcano in Bicol survived, according to the mayor of Camalig, Albay.

In an interview with Dobol B TV this Thursday, Camalig Mayor Carlos Baldo said that four bodies were found near the crashed plane.

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“Natagpuan na po ‘yung apat na sakay ng eroplanong bumagsak po doon sa may crater ng Mayon, sa ngayon po retrieval na lang po kami,” the official said.

“Nandun lang sila sa may pinagbagsakan pero hindi doon sa loob ng eroplano,” added Baldo.

According to the mayor, retrieving the remains of the victims is a big challenge because the road down is difficult.

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Baldo also explained that it is dangerous to use aircraft in the area.

It is estimated that the journey will take up to four hours once the bodies are unloaded.

Also in the press conference this morning, Baldo announced that he hopes to bring down the victims today.

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“Sana matapos ngayong araw. Alam naman nating ‘yung family naghihintay na rin,” the mayor said.

“Kahit napuntahan na [‘yung crash site], hindi ganun kadali ibaba,” he added.

Passengers of crashed Cessna plane in Bicol confirmed dead—mayor

Regarding the crashed plane, Baldo said that the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) would decide what to do with it.

In a statement, CAAP said they had dispatched personnel from the Bureau of Fire Protection – Special Rescue Force (BFP-SRF) to assist the retrieval team.

“CAAP, through the Philippine Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Center (PARCC) and the other involved agencies, will enter into the conclusion of the search and rescue (SAR) operations for RP-C2080 once the aircraft and all its occupants have been located and accounted for,” according to the statement.

CAAP said the Bicol International Airport air traffic controllers lost contact with the Cessna 340 airplane carrying a pilot, a crew member, and two foreign passengers who are the power firm Energy Development Corporation (EDC) consultants.

In the statement, Richard Tantoco, EDC president and COO, identified those on board the plane as pilots Captain Rufino James Crisostomo Jr, Joel Martin, Simon Chipperfield, and Karthi Santhanam.

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