The Philippine interior minister is one of three people missing after their small plane crashed into the sea while trying to make an emergency landing in the island nation.
Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo, an ally of President Benigno Aquino, was traveling Saturday in a small propeller plane from the city of Cebu to his hometown, Naga city. The pilot sent out an emergency call and arranged to land on Masbate island, but never made it to the airport there.
Transportation Secretary Manuel Roxas said the plane crashed in waters off the island. One of the four people aboard - Robredo's aide - was rescued. A search found no sign of the three others as of late Saturday, when night fell.
Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.