DAVAO CITY – The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines is investigating the plane crash that killed four persons in Ampatuan, Maguindanao del Sur on Thursday, Feb. 6.
The CAAP said on Friday, Feb. 7, that it is working closely with local authorities to determine the cause of the incident.
The aircraft was enroute to Cotabato City from Cebu province when it crashed, the CAAP said.
"The flight was part of a routine mission in support of US-Philippine security cooperation activities," CAAP added. "Further details will be provided once the report becomes available."
The Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region appealed to the public to refrain from speculating on the crash and allow proper authorities to conduct their investigation.
The US Indo-Pacific Command confirmed that the aircraft was on a routine mission conducting intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) support to the Philippine military when it crashed.
The United States Federal Aviation Authority said the aircraft was a Beech Super King Air 350-B300 registered to Metrea Special Aerospace ISR Inc. based in Oklahoma, United States. Metrea said that they own the ill-fated aircraft.
A United States helicopter has claimed the remains of the fatalities.
Police Lt. Col. Henry Biñas, Maguindanao del Sur Police Provincial Office Deputy Director for Administration, told ABS-CBN News that they were transported to Manila and debris are being collected in the crash site.
He said the fatalities appear to be foreigners and their identities are yet to be determined.