Crashed plane in Maguindanao assisting Phl intel – US

The US military has confirmed that a light plane that crashed Thursday in Maguindanao del Sur, killing all four people onboard, was contracted by the US Department of Defense to provide intelligence support at the request of Philippine allies.

- By Roel Pareño

In a statement, the US Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) disclosed that the Raytheon Beechcraft King Air 300 aircraft, bearing tail number N349CA, was on a routine mission in support of US-Philippine security cooperation activities.

The USINDOPACOM said the aircraft was providing intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support when it crashed in a rice field in the vicinity of Barangay Malatimon, Ampatuan town.

“We can confirm no survivors of the crash. There were four personnel on board, including one US military service member and three defense contractors,” the statement read. The names of the victims were withheld pending notification of their next of kin.

According to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), the ill-fated plane took off from Cebu and was en route to Cotabato City for an aerial survey when it crashed.

CAAP is currently working closely with local authorities to determine the cause of the crash.

Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police (PNP) is also onsite to ensure that the probe of CAAP, the lead investigating agency, is unhampered, as well as to assist in recovery operations as needed.

“We urge the public to refrain from speculating and allow the proper authorities to conduct their investigation,” PNP spokesman Col. Randolf Tuano said at a news briefing.

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