Crashed plane in Maguindanao assisting Philippine intel – US

February 8, 2025 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — The US military has confirmed that a light plane that crashed Thursday in Maguindanao del Sur, killing all four people onboard, was contracted by the US Department of Defense to provide intelligence support at the request of Philippine allies.

In a statement, the US Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) disclosed that the Raytheon Beechcraft King Air 300 aircraft, bearing tail number N349CA, was on a routine mission in support of US-Philippine security cooperation activities.

The USINDOPACOM said the aircraft was providing intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support when it crashed in a rice field in the vicinity of Barangay Malatimon, Ampatuan town.

“We can confirm no survivors of the crash. There were four personnel on board, including one US military service member and three defense contractors,” the statement read. The names of the victims were withheld pending notification of their next of kin.

According to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), the ill-fated plane took off from Cebu and was en route to Cotabato City for an aerial survey when it crashed.

CAAP is currently working closely with local authorities to determine the cause of the crash.

Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police (PNP) is also onsite to ensure that the probe of CAAP, the lead investigating agency, is unhampered, as well as to assist in recovery operations as needed.

“We urge the public to refrain from speculating and allow the proper authorities to conduct their investigation,” PNP spokesman Col. Randolf Tuano said at a news briefing.

Retrieval

On Friday morning, a CH-47 Chinook helicopter landed near the crash site, as American rescuers recovered the cadavers of the four victims, barangay and municipal officials confirmed.

Officials of the Bangsamoro regional government assured reporters on Friday that the airlift mission was coordinated with the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region and the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, which has units in Maguindanao del Sur province.

Prior to this, a team of “foreigners” arrived at Barangay Malatimon late Thursday to cordon off the crash site, local emergency responders said.

Local officials added that villagers divested the four individuals of their belongings and went away when they sensed that a team of foreigners and their Filipino guides were closing in.

There is a team of US military men based at Camp Siongco in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte, where the headquarters of the Philippine Army’s 6th ID is located. They are helping capacitate Filipino counterparts on counterterrorism and other security operations.

Defense contractor

Metrea, identifying itself as a leading provider of effects-as-a-service to national security partners, confirmed in a statement that it is the owner of the plane and that its personnel were among the victims of the crash.

“Metrea is currently responding to an emergency situation in Maguindanao del Sur province in the southern Philippines,” the company based in Washington said.

The plane, which was carrying four persons including one US service member, went down at around 2 p.m. Philippine time on Thursday, the statement further read.

“It is with deep regret we are able to confirm that there were no survivors. The families of our crew have been informed and we’re providing full support,” Metrea said.

“Metrea has enacted its emergency response plan and is working closely with all relevant government authorities to establish the cause of the accident. The safety and wellbeing of our employees and customers continues to be our top priority,” the defense company added.

Probe sought

Following the incident, House assistant minority leader and Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Arlene Brosas denounced the presence of US military surveillance operations in Mindanao, calling it a clear violation of Philippine sovereignty.

Brosas noted that these operations are being conducted under the guise of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) and Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), which have effectively turned parts of Mindanao into unofficial US military outposts.

“We demand full transparency about these surveillance operations and call for an immediate congressional inquiry. The government should not allow foreign powers to conduct surveillance in our territory,” she said.

The Gabriela Women’s Party also called for the immediate termination of the VFA, EDCA and other unequal military agreements that compromise Philippine sovereignty and make local territories vulnerable to foreign military intervention.

Likewise, militant group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) want an investigation on the operation to determine whether the Philippine government sanctioned it.

“This incident shows how US war-mongering, aimed at encircling China’s expanding influence, directly undermines regional stability by disrupting peace and destroying livelihoods,” Bayan secretary general Raymond Palatino said in a statement. — Rudy Santos, John Unson, Emmanuel Tupas, Jose Rodel Clapano, Michael Punongbayan