by Ahikam Pasion
Five American personnel were injured after a United States military aircraft struck a concrete barrier while attempting to take off during a training exercise Tuesday afternoon in Laoac town.
Police said the aircraft, a C-146 Wolfhound operated by the United States Air Force, was using a concrete bypass road as a temporary runway as part of contingency training simulating operations in areas without functional airports.
According to officials familiar with the exercise, the aircraft successfully landed but veered off course during takeoff, hitting a concrete barrier. The cause of the accident remains under investigation.
The pilot and two crew members were brought to a hospital for treatment, while two others received treatment at the scene. No civilians were reported injured. Authorities said the aircraft sustained damage.
Philippine officials said the exercise, coordinated with local civilian and military authorities, involved landing and taking off from an alternate landing zone to prepare for emergency situations such as typhoons and earthquakes.
The cause of the incident remains under investigation.
U.S. forces conduct joint training activities in the country under the Visiting Forces Agreement, which allows American troops to train alongside Filipino counterparts.