The aircraft that reportedly crashed in Ampatuan, Maguindanao del Sur on Thursday, killing one US service member and three defense contractors, was “providing intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance support” to the Philippines.

According to a statement posted by the US Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) Public Affairs, the incident occurred during a routine mission “in support of the US-Philippines security cooperation activities.”

The US Department of Defense had contracted the aircraft to conduct operations.

“We can confirm there were no survivors of the crash. There were four personnel onboard, including one US military service member and three defense contractors,” the USINDOPACOM Public Affairs said.

“The names of the crew are being withheld pending next of kin notification,” it added, noting that the cause of the crash is “currently under investigation.”

In a statement on Friday, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) said it is “working closely with local authorities to determine the cause of the incident.”

The CAAP initially reported that the ill-fated Beechcraft King Air 300 aircraft, with registration number N349CA, departed from Cebu and was en route to Cotabato City for an aerial survey when it crashed.

“The flight was part of a routine mission in support of US-Philippine security cooperation activities,” it added.

In a separate statement, the Philippine National Police (PNP), through the Police Regional Office Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO BARMM), said it is providing full support to CAAP’s efforts, such as securing the crash site and assisting in search, rescue and recovery operations as needed.

“We affirm that the CAAP is the primary agency leading the investigation into this incident. We urge the public to refrain from speculating and allow the proper authorities to conduct their investigation,” it stressed.

The PNP said it would provide necessary assistance related to the incident.

Mutual defense

The USINDOPACOM has existing engagements with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) covered by the annually approved activity list of the Mutual Defense Board-Security Engagement Board.

Both militaries establish mutually agreed-upon policy directions on defense and security issues that further strengthen the cooperation between the Philippines and the US.

The AFP said these engagements also reaffirm both nations’ “shared commitment” to the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty and the joint pursuit of a free and open Indo-Pacific region against the backdrop of a rules-based international order.

Meanwhile, the AFP refused to disclose the details of the aircraft’s mission.

“The AFP acknowledges that the US counterparts involved in the fatal crash provided intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance support. Details of which will not be disclosed in the interest of confidentiality and operational security,” AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla told the DAILY TRIBUNE in a Viber message on Friday.