Malacañang condoled with the family of the slain police personnel who was killed after a helicopter of the Philippine National Police (PNP) crashed in Real, Quezon on Monday (Feb. 21).
Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said in a briefing Tuesday (Feb. 22) that the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) “is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the fatal crash of the chopper.”
“Una sa lahat, kami po ay nakikiramay sa pamilya ng isang crew member na namatay dahil sa crash na ito at we wish the two injured a speedy recovery,” he said. “We will await the report of the DILG. It is currently being investigated.”
The PNP Airbus H125, bound to Balesin Island before it crashed in Quezon, was supposed to fetch PNP chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos from his private time with his family.
PNP Spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said the commercial flight that Carlos was to take for his return trip to Manila was unavailable.
“He has to return to Camp Crame immediately for administrative duty. Yung air unit natin said na yung dalawang chopper is available for the disposal of the Chief PNP,” she said.
In a statement, Carlos said the unavailability of private transport during his scheduled return on Monday morning “prompted” him “to request for an admin flight to transfer/move me back to Camp Crame Monday morning so I can perform my duties.”
“I regret that the accident happened and never wish harm to my personnel nor losses to the organization. Rest assured that a thorough investigation is being undertaken,” he said.
The injured pilot and the co-pilot are currently confined at the PNP General Hospital in Camp Crame. Carlos vowed to shoulder the medical needs of the victims.
Interior Secretary Eduardo Aῆo said that as chief of the national police, Carlos has the right to use the resources of the PNP especially if it helps to perform his duty as the top police officer.
“He is still the Chief PNP and it is rightful for him to use the PNP chopper to be able to attend a forthcoming official duty when there are no other available means,” he said.
Año will not recommend Carlos to go on leave while the investigation is ongoing. – Report from Bea Bernardo/AG-rir
Watch the report here:
