By Alec Go
Search and rescue (SAR) operations continue for the missing medical evacuation chopper “Yellow Bee” six days after it went missing last week.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said its SAR team checked on Monday, March 6, the waters surrounding the islands on Candaraman, Canubigan, Matangule, Sebaring, and Bugsuk in Palawan.
Local fisherfolk in the islands were also asked if they noticed floating debris or materials, as well as unusual incidents related to the missing chopper.
On Monday, the Philippine Adventist Medical Aviation Services (PAMAS) said in its Facebook post that its search by air is ongoing, which “thoroughly covered the suspected territory, with generous margins.”
PAMAS said the Malaysian government also deployed five vessels and three aircrafts to help in the search, in coordination with the Philippines Aviation Rescue Coordination Center (PARCC).
PAMAS said a volunteer sonar imaging team also arrived Monday in Candarman to begin its underwater search in coordination with the Philippine Navy through the BRP Carlos Albert.
On March 1, the PARCC coordinated with the PCG after “Yellow Bee” lost contact while transporting a patient from Mangsee Island to Brooke’s Point.
On March 2, a pillow retrieved by the SAR team was confirmed to be owned by the patient on board the chopper, as confirmed by a relative.
A pair of shoes found by local rescuers, confirmed to be owned by nurse Janelle Alder who was on the chopper, was turned over to PAMAS on Monday. – gb
