AFP units on patrol told to be on the lookout for missing AirAsia plane

Navy and Air Force units conducting maritime patrols in Philippine waters have been ordered “to be extra observant” for potential leads that will help in the search for AirAsia flight QZ8501, which went missing Sunday morning.

According to a press release from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, two C-130s, two Fokker planes, an Islander aircraft, and the BRP Ramon Alcaraz have been told to “report any unusual sightings”.

Air traffic control lost contact with the AirAsia airplane, which was flying to Singapore from Surabaya in Indonesia, on Sunday morning after the pilot asked for a course change because of bad weather.