PAL plane makes emergency landing in Davao City

Philippine Airlines. FILE PHOTO

TAGUM CITY – A Philippine Airlines flight carrying Dr. Elenita Binay, Las Piñas Representative Mark Villar and Representative Datu Pakung Mangudadatu and over 120 other passengers made an emergency landing at the old airport in Davao City a few minutes after it took off Friday, sources said.

Supt. Antonio Rivera, Southern Mindanao police regional office spokesperson said the plane (PR-1814) carrying 128 passengers took off from F. Bangoy International Airport (FBIA), the functioning commercial Davao City airport, around 1:30 p.m. but had to turn back four minutes into the flight after smoke was observed from its cargo compartment area.

A source, who requested anonymity for lack of authority to release details on the passengers, said Binay, Villar and Mangudadatu were on the plane which was originally scheduled to depart at 11 a.m. The reason for the delay was not provided.

Rivera has not confirmed the source’s information yet.

But quoting a report from the Aviation Security Unit (AVSEU) 11, Rivera told the Inquirer by phone the plane made an emergency landing at the old airport, which is across the FBIA.

“A fire truck from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) immediately responded to the incident and a medical team was sent to check on the status of 128 passengers onboard,” Rivera said.

The source said all passengers were safe although one had to be given first aid after fainting.

The plane was undergoing further checking as of late Friday afternoon, the source said.

He said it may be given the green light if no serious problem was detected. Frinston Lim, Inquirer Mindanao