Philippine search and rescue team displays items found at sea

Philippine gunboats are searching the Bohol Sea Saturday for seven American servicemen still missing after the crash of a U.S. Army helicopter during anti-terrorism exercises. But rescuers say there is little hope of finding any of the missing servicemen alive.

The bodies of three crew members were recovered Friday from the waters off the island of Negros where the helicopter went down before dawn. The remains were taken to Okinawa, Japan.

The MH-47 Chinook 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 that hostile fire brought down the helicopter. The cause of the crash is being investigated. 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 and Reuters.

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