CEBU CITY, Philippines—A Philippine Air Force Huey helicopter made a “precautionary landing” near Lake Danao, San Francisco town on Camotes Island in northern Cebu at 1:35 p.m. Wednesday, a few minutes after it took off from the Mactan Benito Ebuen Air Base.

Lieutenant Colonel Dennis Antenor Cruz, PAF public information officer at the MBEA, said the helicopter’s pilot decided to land the chopper after he and the crew noticed the flashing of the red warning light on the instrument panel.

“They have to land to check the aircraft,” he explained.

Contrary to some reports, Antenor Cruz said the helicopter did not crash land.

The helicopter’s pilot, co-pilot and two crewmen were all safe and there was no damage in the helicopter "because a precautionary landing is actually a normal landing,” Antenor Cruz said.

Cruz declined to name the pilot, co-pilot and crewmen on board the helicopter.

He said the helicopter was one of the military choppers that were going to Samar Island because the military in the area needed them for their operation.

As of 5 p.m., the helicopter was still at the Lake Danao area but Cruz said PAF already sent maintenance officers such as a test pilot and engine man to Lake Danao on board another helicopter to check on the aircraft.