[4] However, mid-way through the first leg of the trip, the plane had been guided into the direct flight path of Mount Makaturing in Lanao, near Dansalan,[5] at around 5300 feet.

[6] On May 22, 1947, the public was informed that the C-47 failed to arrive at Bacolod after 96 hours, President Manuel Roxas hosted a search party in an attempt to recover the plane and fate of the people on board, headed by Major General Rafael Jalandoni.

The Search Party was tasked with carrying out maritime and aerial reconnaissance over Visayas and Mindanao in an attempt to recover the plane.

[9] On May 29, 1947, it was confirmed that the plane was the Lili Marlene, and 17 bodies were recovered, including Rafael R. Alunan and Colonel Edwin Andrews, which thus ended the search, and began the process of Investigation.

This then led to the State Funeral, held by President Manuel Roxas,[14] honouring the men aboard the Lili Marlene, such as the men who were part of the Alunan Party (NSLA) (Including Rafael R. Alunan), the Chief of Staff of the PAAC, Colonel Edwin Andrews and Judge Francisco Zulueta.