Plane crashes off Palawan

MANILA, Philippines—An airplane crashed off the coast of Brooke’s Point town in Palawan province Wednesday afternoon, the Philippine Coast Guard said.

Coast Guard spokesperson Commander Armand Balilo, citing information from Western Command and Puerto Princesa City Airport Control Tower, said the plane crashed at 3:09 p.m.

Coast Guard assets MCS 3005 and SARV 3504 have been directed to respond accordingly.

“Our aluminum boat is already at the site with negative sighting yet, 3005 is now proceeding farther out, while the 3504 is getting ready and will depart soonest,” he said.

The Air Force has also sent a chopper at the reported crash site.

Balilo said that as of posting time, they have no information what kind of aircraft crashed.

Meanwhile, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), in a statement said there was no missing commercial aircraft.

“All commercial flights are accounted for and [there is] no reported missing aircraft,” the CAAP said.

Lt. Jay Tariella, Coast Guard Palawan operation officer, said in an interview over radio dzIQ that they might have to suspend the search and rescue operation for the aircraft for the meantime and would resume on Thursday morning. With Aries Joseph Hegina