Three American servicemen are confirmed dead and seven are missing after the crash of a U.S. special forces helicopter in the southern Philippines. Officials say the MH-47 Chinook helicopter went down early Friday in waters off the island of Negros. It was enroute to an air base after delivering special forces troops who are training Philippine soldiers on southern Basilan island.

Both governments have ruled out the possibility of hostile fire on the helicopter. Rescuers say there is little hope of finding any of the missing servicemen alive.

Later, a U.S. military plane helping to conduct a search for the missing was forced to make an emergency landing at an airbase in the central city of Cebu. Officials say one of the plane's four engines had a problem. There were no reports of injuries or damage.

The downed helicopter was one of two that were taking troops and equipment to a place where Philippines troops are fighting Muslim extremist Abu Sayyaf rebels. The victims were the first casualties of a six-month joint operation between U.S. and Philippine forces.

Some information for this report provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

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