February 22, 2002, Philippine Star, Philippines: Three US soldiers reported rescued from helicopter crash,

February 22, 2002, Philippine Star, Philippines: Three US soldiers reported rescued from helicopter crash,

Three US troops were confirmed rescued already after the US Chinook helicopter they were riding in crashed into the waters off Negros Oriental early this morning, local policemen reportedly said. [falsely]

The rescued US servicemen were brought to Tuboso, Negros Occidental while the search continued for the other seven to nine survivors [sic...dead] of the helicopter crash, an ANC television report said.

Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen Diomedio Villanueva said they received information that just before the crash, three American troopers jumped from the helicopter into the waters.

Villanueva said one of the possible cause for the helicopter's crash was system malfunction.

An earlier report said sparks were seen coming from the helicopter before it took off from Basilan en-route to Mactan, Cebu.

Both local and US officials were in agreement that there was no indication that the Chinook was attacked.