Rescuers found a portion of the right wing and a copy of the flight plan under water in an area where what appeared to be skid marks and metal parts on the seafloor were detected by sonar equipment. Divers and military aircraft suspended their operations before nightfall but planned to focus their search in that area on Monday, Roxas told reporters, adding that the search by boats would continue through the night.

Dozens of divers and ships scoured the sea while helicopters crisscrossed overhead all day. Troops and police searched along the coast and a U.S. Navy plane flew over the area twice to look for the wreckage.

Helping in the search was Robredo's police aide, Jun Abrasado, who was the fourth person on the plane. He lost consciousness as the plane slammed into the water, but managed to swim out of the cabin when he regained consciousness and was rescued by fishermen.

In the chaotic moment before the plane went down, Abrasado embraced Robredo and made sure their seatbelts were on, Roxas said.