LEGAZPI CITY, ALBAY (PIA) – The search and rescue team for the missing Cessna passengers is about 900 meters or 0.9 kilometer from the crash site yet they have to move with extreme caution as the area is highly critical and dangerous.

Camalig Mayor “Caloy” Baldo Jr, who is also the search and rescue operations ground commander, said they are hoping for a positive result this afternoon.

"We are expediting the operation but the terrain situation is difficult. Hopefully there will be a positive result by this afternoon and be able to reach the site (Minamadali na natin pero mahirap ang situation sa terrain. Hopefully may positive result na by this afternoon at marating na talaga ang site)", Baldo said.

With the urgency of locating the four passengers, Baldo said the responders currently trekking the area will be staying overnight but noted that they are flexible in the execution of plans to ensure safety of the rescuers.

The team is also awaiting the result of the aerial search this morning using a Philippine Navy aircraft equipped with a thermal scanner to determine the possibility of life onsite.

Two teams are trekking to the crash site comprised of 28 responders – six from the Bureau of Fire Protection – Special Rescue Force, nine expert mountaineers, eight from the Energy Development Corporation, three from the Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR) and two local guides.

Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) spokesperson Eric Apolonio has confirmed in a press statement on Tuesday that the photos of plane wreckage is part of the missing plane.

The wreckage was located on Sunday at about 6,500 feet above sea level, just 350 meters away from the Mayon Volcano’s crater which is currently under alert level 2.

Full responsibility amidst risks and hazards

At the press conference this morning, Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office (APSEMO) Chief Cedric Daep described the critical crash site as a gully on a steep terrain with big volcanic rocks and loose materials that may be unsafe to step on. Thus, the need for trained and expert responders.

"The difficult task here is that the aviation accident side is actually on the critical area under alert level two, [which is]  about 350 to 450  meters away from the crater. This is the challenge," Daep said.

Daep said they are in close coordination with the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) for parameters on the activities of the volcano to determine the possibility of an eruption, rock and ash fall or flooding, noting that the responders are prepared and trained to respond to these possibilities.

“The provincial government is in full support to this intenified search and rescue operation because we cannot prolong the agony of the situation. We will not give-up until we cannot find (the passengers). That's why we are expediting this while the weather is good. (Wala nang atrasan, hindi babalik hanggang hindi nakukuha at mission accomplished. Kaya minamadali na natin habang madali ang panahon),” Daep said.

He noted that the provincial government takes full responsibility for whatever outcomes or obligations that may arise from this operations.

The Cessna RP-C2080 was reported missing on February 18, Saturday. Onboard are pilot Capt. Rufino James Crisostomo Jr., mechanic Joel Martin, and two Australian passengers, Simon Chipperfield and Kathri Santanan. They are all connected to the EDC.

As reported by the CAAP Area 5, the plane departed for Metro Manila the Bicol Internation Airport (BIA) in Albay at 6:43AM. Last contact is at 6:48AM as it passed over Camalig Cement Plant in barangay Palanog for instructions to report after they went beyond 20 miles of the BIA. Since then, he plane remained unresponsive  (SAA/PIA5/Albay)