Medevac helicopter with 5 on board reported missing in Palawan

A medical evacuation helicopter has been reported missing on Wednesday morning, the Civil Aeronautics Authority of the Philippines has said.

The CAAP Philippine Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Center said the medevac flight came from Mangsee island in the far southwest portion of Balabac, Palawan.

The helicopter was on its way to the Southern Palawan Provincial Hospital in Brooke’s Point when it was reported missing.

On board were the pilot, a nurse, a patient, and two companions.

The helicopter was determined to be an Alouette with registry number N45VX and operated by the Philippine Adventist Medical Aviation Services based in Brooke's Point.

It took off at 7:30 a.m. from Brooke’s Point to pick up the patient at Mangsee Island in Balabac and was expected to arrive at 10:30 a.m. at the hospital. —Sherylin Untalan/NB, GMA Integrated News