A C-130 military transport aircraft disappeared shortly after takeoff in the southern Philippines with nine crew on board, and authorities launched a search and rescue operation, an official said Tuesday.

The C-130 aircraft, one of two operated by the air force, lost contact within two minutes of taking off from Davao International Airport at 11:50 p.m. Monday, and search efforts focused on a 20-mile radius around the airport, said Lt. Col. Pedrito Cadungong.

He said four helicopters were taking part in the rescue.

Cadungong said the aircraft was headed to central Iloilo city to pick up members of the Presidential Security Guard after Monday’s visit by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

The crew included two pilots, he said.

The incident happened amid intense fighting between government troops and Muslim rebels in the central and western parts of Mindanao island.

Defense officials said the offensive will not end until government forces have captured or killed three commanders of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and their men who were blamed for killing dozens of civilians and pillaging communities in three southern provinces.