Search still negative for space object that crashed in Sultan Kudarat

KIDAPAWAN CITY -Rescue teams sent by the provincial police in Sultan Kudarat to check on a loud explosion that happened on Sunday in between towns of Esperanza and Senator Ninoy Aquino have not yet returned to their bases. The reported mid-air explosion and crash of an unidentified flying object occurred at past 11 a.m. Sunday, or more than 24 hours ago. One of the teams was led by Senior Inspector Ace Llamasares, chief of the Esperanza PNP, who immediately proceeded to the hinterlands in his area of responsibility (AoR), after he received an order from his head, SK provincial director Superintendent Rex dela Rosa. Llamasares said that as of 10 a.m., on Monday, they have not located the exact area where the explosion took place. Nagalugad na namin ang halos lugar na posibleng binagsakan ng bagay na nagsanhi ng pagsabog nito’ng Linggo, pero, negative pa rin (We have almost searched the area where the explosion could have taken place, yet, it turned out negative)”, he said. Llamasares said they used a four-wheel vehicle when scouring the area. In areas that can’t be reached by vehicle, he said they went on a foot patrol. Also, they coordinated with barangay officials and residents in the area. Despite this, they have not seen any debris or part of a flying object that fell from the sky and exploded. The explosion, according to sources, was so loud that it created an earth movement. Even residents of Mamasapano, Maguindanao heard the loud blast, according to Tahir Kabalu, resident of Tukanalipao. A source from the 6thInfantry Division said that debris of a spacecraft of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) crashed at the boundary of Bagumbayan and Esperanza towns, both in Sultan Kudarat province. Yet, no official statement has been issued to the local media by the Philippine Army and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines as regards the crash. Not even Llamasares could confirm such report. Captain Joan Petinglay, spokesperson for the 6thID, said they have a marching order from the top command to really locate the object that fell from the sky and exploded on Sunday noon. The search started around 1p.m., on Sunday, she said. Iba-iba ang report kung saan nakita ang explosion.No confirmation from the troops on the ground.Kahit debris from the object na sumabog, wala. (We received different reports as to the location of the explosion.No confirmation from the troops on the ground.Even debris of the object, there was none),” said Petinglay.