Philippine Navy dispatches rescue planes to find missing vessel

The Philippine Navy on Monday dispatched its Cessna planes to help in the search operations for a cargo vessel that went missing after it experienced engine trouble at the vicinity of Isabel Island in Romblon Saturday morning.

Responding to the call for humanitarian assistance, the Navy's Cessna 330 and 324 took off around 10:30 a.m. as weather cleared for search operations of the missing SF freighter, a 498-ton cargo vessel.

The said vessel was reported missing 2:00 a.m. Saturday after experiencing engine failure amidst turbulent winds and rough seas.

Lt. Col. Edgard Arevalo, Navy spokesman, said focus of the search was the vicinity of Dos Hermanas Island in Romblon.

"The expanded search area is now 900 square nautical mile taking into account drift, then-prevailing weather condition, and other data available," said Arevalo.

"Apart from its primary role of conducting maritime security operations, humanitarian operations like search, rescue, relief and rehabilitation are also among the navy's priority missions," he added.

Source: MB