Retrieval operations for pilots' remains resume

CEBU CITY - The search and retrieval operations for the remains of Captain Jessup Bahinting and Nepalese Kshitiz Chand resumed 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in the waters of Masbate.

The remains of Bahinting and Chand were found Tuesday together with the body of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo in the fuselage of the twin-engine Piper Seneca plane that crashed off Masbate last Saturday.

Divers located the fuselage 800 meters from the shores of Masbate at a depth of 180 feet.

Major General Eduardo del Rosario said the technical team is composed to Filipino and Korean divers and the dive will last for around 35 minutes.

Del Rosario said the Philippine Navy, Coast Guard, and Task Force (TF) are working together in their hope for a one-time retrieval operation.

According to del Rosario, the plan is to attach a rope on the aircraft lifting it closer to the surface, next is to extricate the two pilots from the fuselage, then move the plane closer to the shore.

Meanwhile, the German diver who suffered Tuesday of decompression sickness (DCS) is already stable according to del Rosario in a TV interview Wednesday.

"Our level of confidence is very high on the success of the retrieval operation," he said.

Del Rosario requested the media to stay far from the exact area of the operation so as not to interrupt the divers.(Sunnex)