THE Energy Development Corporation (EDC) condoled with the bereaved families of the passengers of a Cessna plane that crashed in the town of Camalig, Albay over the weekend.
“We mourn the passing of our dear colleagues, pilot Captain Rufino James Crisostomo Jr., Joel Martin, Simon Chipperfield, and Karthi Santhanam…Our heartfelt sympathies go to their families and friends during this difficult time,” said EDC President Richard Tantoco.
The four were aboard the Cessna 340 plane with tail number RP-C2080 that was reported missing early Saturday morning shortly after taking off from the Bicol International Airport.
The local government has now declared that the rescue efforts have now been reclassified as retrieval efforts.
“It is with the deepest gratitude that we thank the tireless efforts of all the rescuers from branches of government, civilian volunteers, and EDC Emergency Response Teams from across the country,” added Tantoco.
Chipperfield and Santhanam are both Australian citizens and technical consultants of EDC.