February 22, 2002, The Philippine Star, Philippine defence chief confirms US helicopter crash,

February 22, 2002, The Philippine Star, Philippine defence chief confirms US helicopter crash,

Defence Secretary Angelo Reyes has confirmed that a US MH-47 Chinook Helicopter with ten US servicemen aboard crashed about seven nautical miles north-east of Negros Oriental at around 2:30 a.m. [local time] today.

In a dzMM radio interview, Reyes said two air force men and eight army members were on board the Chinook helicopter that was on its way to Cebu from Basilan province. The American soldiers were participants of the RP-US joint military exercises.

A system malfunction was suspected to be the cause of the crash. Authorities said they have not received reports of any attack on the US chopper.

Reyes said the Armed Forces of the Philippines has started coordinating with the Americans for search and rescue efforts.