Cessna plane searchers get sick

SAN FERNANDO, La Union, Philippines — Almost three weeks of looking for a Cessna plane that crashed over Divilacan town in Isabela have left some members of the search and rescue team sick and injured, according to Ezekiel Chavez, chief of the municipal disaster risk reduction and management office.

Despite the health problems encountered by some members, the ground search operation continues as the rescuers have brought with them medicine for fever, headache and colds as well as first-aid kits.

“One of the Dumagats developed fever while others contracted colds and suffered injuries. But all are now in good condition after taking medicine,” Chavez said.

Members of Dumagat communities and wild hunters have joined the police Special Action Force and the local rescue team in searching for the missing plane.

The search is currently focused on the hinterlands of Barangay Sapinit in Divilacan, where the wreckage of the plane was reportedly spotted.

Chavez said the aerial rescue team could not penetrate the area due to thick clouds blanketing the terrain.

The team focused its attention on Barangay Sapinit after a farmer informed authorities that he saw a plane flying toward the Sierra Madres on the day of the reported crash.

Aside from Sapinit, the rescue team also scoured Barangay Dicayura, a forested village located about 10 kilometers away from a cell site tower in nearby Maconacon town, where the cell phone of a passenger rang after it was contacted by the team.

On board the missing Cessna plane were pilot Capt. Eleazar Mark Joven and passengers Josefa Perla Espana, Val Kamatoy, Tom Josthle Manday, Mark Eiron Siguerra and Xam Siguerra.

The plane went missing on Jan. 24 after it took off from the Cauayan Airport. It was reportedly headed to Maconacon.