Melo Villareal
Earlier, an alarming report that went viral on Social Media says that a Cebu Pacific flight crashed in one of the towns in Sultan Kudarat. In the most recent update from Inquirer.net, Cebu Pacific Air denied reports that one of its aircraft crashed earlier in Esperanza town of Sultan Kudarat province.
Map of Sultan Kudarat Province by Google Map
A statement was issued by Cebu Pacific Air and it was published on their official website stating that all of its planes are “accounted for.” ?
“No flight involved in reported incident in Sultan Kudarat today. All flights accounted for,” the airline said.
Deputy Director General Rodante Joya of Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) was also quoted in a radio interview saying that all commercial planes heading to General Santos City have been accounted for.
“We have already checked with the airlines. They said that all their flights and airplanes have been accounted for,” Joya said.
According to Rappler report, The aircraft, believed to be a chartered flight, was reportedly carrying 4 to 6 passengers.
In a dzMM interview, CAAP Deputy Director General Rodante Joya said: “Nag-check na po tayo sa mga airlines. Lahat po ng kanilang flights, airplanes ay accounted for. Doon po sa lugar, dalawang airports lang kasi ang pinupuntahan ng commercial airlines, ‘yung pong General Santos at Cotabato, so kung meron pong made-delay diyan ay madaling malaman.”
In a separate statement, the CAAP said it is already checking if there is a private aircraft that crashed allegedly in Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat.
“We will issue a statement… upon verification by the CAAP field office if there is indeed truth to the alleged report,” it said.
As of this posting, Military officials and local government of Sultan Kudarat reportedly launched a search and rescue operation while reports are still being verified.
Sources: Inquirer.net, Rappler, ABS-CBNnews.com
