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Body of co-pilot in Robredo plane crash found as search ends
(Updated 9:04 a.m.) The search for the victims of a plane crash in Masbate that killed Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo last Saturday effectively ended Thursday after the last missing victim was positively identified. Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin confirmed the body sighted off Masbate was that of Nepalese co-pilot Kshitiz Chand, adding the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines will now take over the case. "The body was positively identified by the father and brother to be that of the co-pilot. With this development, we shall now conclude the search and rescue operations," Gazmin said in a briefing, parts of which were aired on dzBB radio. On Tuesday, divers recovered the body of Robredo from the plane, and that of pilot Jessup Bahinting on Wednesday. Chand's body was found near the crash site Thursday morning. A separate report by dzBB's Benjie Liwanag Jr. said Chand's father and brother wept as they identified his body. "We condole with the family of Sec. Robredo, Jessup Bahinting, and Kshitiz Chand. May they find all the strength in this time of bereavement," Gazmin said. He said they are now turning over the case to the CAAP, which is investigating the incident. Robredo, Bahinting, and Chand were killed after the Piper Seneca plane they were riding from Cebu to Naga City crashed off Masbate Saturday in an attempt to do an emergency landing at Masbate airport. Only Robredo's aide survived the incident. — LBG/RSJ/HS, GMA News
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