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WASHINGTON D.C.--Aside from a Navy ship, the United States has also sent a maritime surveillance aircraft to help in the search and recovery operations for passengers of the sunken M/V Princess of the Stars.
A US Navy P-3, a four-engine turbo maritime surveillance aircraft, will arrive anytime in the Philippines, Press Secretary Jesus Dureza told reporters here Monday morning (Monday night in Manila).
Dureza said the P-3, which is based in Japan, will proceed to Clark International Airport in Pampanga.
“The P-3 is a four-engine turbo maritime surveillance aircraft. It can capture images of ship wreckage so that Philippine authorities will be able to make rescue and recovery operations,” he told reporters here.
“It is based in Japan but it will now operate from Clark when it arrives in the Philippines,” he said.
Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro thanked the US government for offering assistance to victims of typhoon “Frank” (international codename: Fengshen), particularly the sending of a search and rescue ship to Romblon where the ill-fated ferry owned by Sulpicio Lines capsized off Sibuyan Island.
“We also thank the US government for the humanitarian assistance given through the offices of the Philippine (National) Red Cross.”
He was referring to the P4-million financial aid by the US for the procurement of relief supplies like tents and blankets.
“There is also an open offer to assist us in any way possible,” Teodoro said at a joint press conference.
But due to the bad weather, Teodoro said, authorities have been experiencing difficulties in search and rescue operations.
In fact, Teodoro said, rescue operations could not be conducted to find 23 fishermen reported missing in La Union.
“There was a report too that about 23 fishermen are still missing in La Union and no rescue operations could have been conducted at that time because of the weather,” he said.
“We hope the weather clears so rescue operations can be conducted,” he further said.
