A Philippine Air Force SF-260, a propeller-driven training airplane, crashed in La Monja Island near Bataan and nearby waters of Manila Bay.
Acquired in 1994, the SF-260 was piloted by two PAF officers who took off from Sangley Point in Cavite shortly before 7 a.m. There is no information yet on why it failed.
Reports said a fisherman found aircraft wreckage at Lamonja Island at about 11:45 a.m. the same day. A fuel tank, a helmet and a plane seat had been reportedly recovered from the sea.
Some reports identified the missing Air Force officers as Maj. Neil Tumaneng and 1Lt. Michael Arugay.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard has sent divers to help in the search and rescue of Tumaneng and Arugay.
The Coast Guard in Bataan and Mariveles, along with divers from the Special Operations Group, has proceeded to the crash site on board rubber boats and a motorized boat.
