Search operations for Robredo resume

For the second straight morning, search operations for Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo and two companions resumed in Masbate early Monday.

Transportation Secretary Manuel Roxas II said on his Twitter account early Monday that the day’s search pattern will be based on sonar searches from Sunday night.

He also said a US plane with forward-looking infrared (FLIR) had also done fly-by passes in the area.

Search teams converged on a beach resort used as a command center before 5 a.m. Monday, amid tight security, dzBB’s Benjie Liwanag Jr. reported. Divers from the Philippine National Police, Philippine Coast Guard, and Philippine Army were joined by professional divers from Bicol, who were to alternate with them.

Aside from Robredo, the two others missing are veteran pilot and flight instructor Jessup Bahinting and his Nepali co-pilot Kshitiz Chand. Bahinting is also the chief executive officer of the Mactan-based aircraft rental company and flying school Aviatour, which owns the plane that crashed. According to Chand's Facebook page, he graduated from Aviatour Flight School in 2011 and identified himself as a commercial pilot.