Philippine Military Helicopter Crashes During Typhoon Relief

Manila, November 4, 2025 — A Philippine military helicopter on a relief mission for Typhoon Kalmaegi victims crashed in northern Mindanao on Tuesday, officials confirmed. The Super Huey aircraft was en route to the coastal city of Butuan when it went down under undisclosed circumstances.

According to a statement from the Eastern Mindanao Command, the helicopter was “in support of relief operations” when the accident occurred. Search and recovery operations have been launched, though authorities have yet to confirm the number of passengers or possible casualties.

The Super Huey, a workhorse of the Philippine Air Force, is frequently deployed for disaster response and military transport. Its loss comes as the nation battles widespread flooding and power outages caused by Typhoon Kalmaegi, which has already displaced thousands across the central and southern regions.

Images from Cebu and nearby provinces show homes submerged and roads impassable as rescue teams race to deliver aid. The Philippine military said it remains committed to supporting relief efforts despite the tragic incident, with additional aircraft now assisting in ongoing missions.

Authorities said further details about the crash will be released once recovery operations are completed and families of those on board are informed.