PHL maritime patrols told to be extra observant for leads on missing AirAsia plane

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 29): PHL maritime patrols told to be extra observant for leads on missing AirAsia plane

Military units conducting maritime patrols in Philippine territorial waters were ordered to be more extra observant and report any unusual sightings that may provide possible leads in locating the missing AirAsia Flight QZ8501.

"Most specifically, the Philippine Navy and Philippine Air Force have been alerted and are placing on standby two C-130s, two Fokker planes, one Islander and the frigate, the BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF-16)," Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc said.

He added that AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang also placed these units on on-call status and directed them to stand ready to provide assistance when needed.

AirAsia Flight QZ8501 which took off from Surabaya, Indonesia and headed for Singapore lost contact with air traffic control at 7:24 a.m. Dec. 28.

The aircraft was carrying 162 people and crewmen aboard when it disappeared.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=720379