A private plane crashed into a private resort in Calamba City in Laguna yesterday afternoon, killing the nine persons on board, with police saying a loud explosion and fire immediately ensued after the crash.
Police Col. Eleazar Matta, director of the Laguna Provincial Police Office, said the cadavers of all those on board were retrieved at around 8 p.m. after hours of searching from the rubbles in a private pool where the plane crashed at around 3 p.m.
Matta identified the fatalities as pilot Capt. Jesus Hernandez, his co-pilot First Officer Lino Cruz Jr., Dr. Garret Garcia, and nurses Kirk Eoin Badilla, Yamato Togawa, Ryx Gil Laput, and Raymond Bulacja. Also recovered were the cadavers of Tom Carr, the patient being airlifted from Mindanao to Manila, and his wife Erma.
Based on initial investigation, Matta said that the private plane, an 11-seat King Air 350 with tail No. RPC 2296, was on a medical air evacuation. “The plane came fm Dipolog City in Zamboanga del Norte for a medical treatment in Manila,” said Matta.
The plane reportedly crashed at the Agojo Privare Resort in Purok 6, Miramonte Subdivision, Barangay Pansol. Barangay Pansol is popular for private resorts.
Matta said two people believed to be either guests of the private resort or local residents were injured as a result of the explosion and fire.
He identified them as 19-year-old John Rey Roca and 49-year old Malou Roca. They were taken to a nearby hospital.
Police Lt. Col. Chitadel Gaoiran, spokesperson of the Region 4-A (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon) police, said the plane was seen flying towards Mount Makiling before the crash.
“As per witnesses, a smoke was seen suddenly covering the plane. The pilot attempted to maneuver the plane back, but unfortunately, it crashed In the area,” said Gaoiran.
Gaoiran said police teams were immediately sent to the area to conduct search and rescue operations. (Aaron Recuenco)
