Four Americans were killed in a plane crash in the southern Philippines. A U.S. service member and three defence contractors were onboard the Beech King Air 350 plane, with body number N349CA, when the aircraft plummeted from the sky and crash-landed into a rice field in Maguindanao del Sur province, at around 2:30 pm on February 6. The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said: 'The aircraft was providing intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance support at the request of our Philippine allies. The incident occurred during a routine mission in support of US-Philippine security cooperation activities. 'We can confirm no survivors of the crash. There were four personnel on board, including one US military service member and three defence contractors. 'The names of the crew are being withheld pending next of kin notification.' The twin turboprop plane had reportedly been contracted by the US military. Authorities said the cause of the crash was being investigated. Records show the aircraft was owned by Metra, which has offices across the United States, United Kingdom, Europe and Singapore. The firm specialises in defence and national security. The U.S. has maintained strong military ties with the Philippines under a longstanding defence agreement signed in 1951. The treaty has been the cornerstone of the alliance, facilitating regular joint exercises and defence cooperation between both nations. Its importance has been underscored by the Philippines' ongoing territorial dispute with China in the South China Sea.

Manila: A Filipino police officer was among the people killed in a mid-air crash in Washington between a US commercial jet and a military helicopter, Philippine police said Friday. The Wednesday night disaster caused both aircraft to tumble into the icy Potomac River, killing 67 passengers and crew. Manila was notified that a body carrying Malabed’s passport was recovered from the Potomac, police spokesman Colonel Randulf Tuano told reporters.

US Embassy and Philippine officials confirmed the deaths of all on-board near the farming municipality of Ampatuan on Mindanao island.