On 21 February 2023 Search and Rescue Operations for the missing Cessna Plane Passengers were in full swing. At least seven (7) SRR Teams are ready to deploy in the crash site to locate missing Passengers of the Cessna 340 Light Plane where Wreckage is found in the Slopes of Mayon Volcano. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) has allowed Rescuers to climb Mayon Volcano which has been declared a Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) with Alert Level 2 Status.
The SRR Teams were composed of Personnel from the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (MDRRMO), Police Regional Office 5, Regional Mobile Force Battalion 5, Naval Special Operation Unit, 505th SRG, 31st Infantry Battalion, BFP 5, Energy Development Corporation (EDC), Federation of Bicol Mountaineers and Federation of Mountaineers of the Philippines.
Meanwhile, Medical Teams from the Municipal Health Office (MHO) of Camalig and other Responders from Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office (APSEMO), Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and other Volunteers will be deployed on the Ground to maximize the coverage of the operations.
Prior to the conduct of operations and insertion of SRR Teams in the Crash Site, the Tactical Operations Group 5 facilitated the final planning and briefing. A Blackhawk Utility Helicopter of the Philippine Air Force is being utilized for Aerial Recon and insertion of SRR Teams. Furthermore, one Agusta Westland (AW-109) of the Philippine Navy was also utilized to conduct forward infrared over the Crash Site.
As of this time, there were already three (3) Teams of SRR successfully inserted in the Area. The unfavorable Cloudy Skies that surround the steep of Mayon Volcano has prevented the aerial inspection and insertion.
Aside from the fact that the Mayon Volcano is in the Alert Level 2, the deployed SRR Team would pose extreme challenges due to the very steep Terrain, high altitude and unfavorable Weather conditions.
The Incident Command headed by Mayor Baldo, said that they would not stop until the four (4) Passengers had been found.