THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Thursday, March 2, 2023, said it has spotted debris suspected to be from the medical evacuation helicopter that went missing in the vicinity of Palawan on Wednesday.
Coast Guard District Palawan Spokesperson Gretch Mary Acuario said BRP Malabrigo found the debris with “R404A” and “pentafluoroethane” markings off Lumbucan Island in Barangay Mangsee, Balabac.
She said verification is ongoing.
The helicopter, with registry number N45VX, was being operated by Adventist Medical Aviation Services and was carrying a pilot, a nurse, a patient and two companions. It went missing on Wednesday morning while en route to the Southern Palawan Provincial Hospital in Brooke’s Point. (SunStar Philippines)