Divers have recovered the body of Philippine Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo, three days after his small plane crashed into the sea near the coast of a central island.

Officials said Robredo's body was pulled from the wreckage early Tuesday and that the remains of two pilots were also being removed.

The plane was submerged about 800 meters from the coast of Masbate island. Pilots were trying to make an emergency landing on the island Saturday after the plane developed engine trouble, but never made it to the airport.

A fourth person on board, Robredo's aide, survived the crash.