Search-rescue teams sent to verify reports of plane crash off southern Palawan

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Philippines – Provincial authorities are verifying reports of a plane that crashed off the coast of southern Palawan.

Provincial disaster risk reduction and management (PDRRM) chief Gilbert Baaco told the Philippine Daily Inquirer that they have deployed a search party to verify reports they received from residents of Brooke’s Point of a plane coming down towards the sea while in flames at around 2 p.m. Wednesday.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines Western Command (Wescom), through its spokesman, Captain Cheryl Tindog, said they have deployed personnel and equipment in the area pointed to by eyewitnesses to prepare for a rescue effort, but clarified they have not found any sign of a plane crash.

“We have not yet received any confirmation of that report,” Tindog said.

Baaco said local residents claimed they saw a plane coming down in smoke in an area estimated to be around 10 to 15 nautical miles off Brooke’s Point, a municipality some 200 kilometers south of Puerto Princesa City.