PAF pilots in Bataan crash still missing

MANILA, Philippines - Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo and the two pilots of the plane that crashed off Masbate last Saturday are not the only ones who have remained missing after another air mishap.

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) is still searching for its two missing pilots who were on board a trainer aircraft that crashed last May in Mariveles, Bataan.

While more than three months have passed since the incident, the PAF still considers the two pilots – Maj. Neil Tumaneng and 1Lt. Michael Arugay – as missing persons.

“No declaration yet or change (on the status of the two pilots). We will update you if there will be,” PAF spokesman Col. Miguel Okol told The STAR yesterday.

Okol said the 15th Strike Wing, the mother unit of Tumaneng and Arugay, are still searching for the missing airmen.

The PAF SF-260 TP Warrior number 176 crashed in Mariveles, Bataan last May 18 while conducting a proficiency flight.

The aircraft, acquired in 1994, took off from Sangley Point, Cavite at 6:52 a.m. and was reported missing minutes past 7 a.m.

Security forces and fishermen have found debris believed to be that of the aircraft in Cavite.

The PAF has taped the services of a seabed mapping ship with sonar tracking device but the missing pilots have yet to be located.