Three die in Philippine military helicopter crash

MANILA: A Philippine military helicopter operating in the rebellion-torn southern Philippines crashed into a mountain on Saturday, killing three people, the air force said.

The Bell UH-1H aircraft pitched into Mount Sinumaan on Jolo island when its crew attempted to land at a military outpost there, air force spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Miguel Ernesto Okol said.

"The UH-1H attempted a precautionary landing... due to mechanical problems," he said in ad statement. He did not say what had caused the mechanical problem.

"There were three reported fatalities (but) the co-pilot survived," he said.

All the casualties were aboard the helicopter.