Monday, November 9, 2015

Chopper crash almost became fatal – officer

From the Mindanao Times (Nov 9): Chopper crash almost became fatal – officer

NINE were injured after a Philippine Air Force helicopter crash landed in Sitio Lamsalo, Barangay Upper Suyan in Malapatan, Sarangani while on a casualty evacuation mission at 9:40 a.m. on Saturday.

The chopper was supposed to evacuate a slain soldier and five others wounded during the encounter in Sitio Datal Kampong, Barangay Upper Suyan at 12:30 noon on Friday.

In a phone interview yesterday, Col. Rony Villanueva, commander of 1002nd Infantry Brigade, said while the troops were approaching the landing zone, they encountered a strong wind.

“The helicopter was pushed to the limits because of the narrow landing zone prepared by our troops,” he said. “They are supposed to insert supplies to the troops.”

Onboard the helicopter were two pilots, the two-member crew and five soldiers of the 73rd Infantry Battalion, whose names are witheld.

“When the chopper was near the ground, the troops and crew jumped which is why they sustained fractures,” he said. “But the pilot got the worst of the injuries although the still managed to crawl out.”

The injured were brought to the Socsksargen Hospital for treatment.

Capt. Alberto Caber, spokesperson of Eastern Mindanao Command, said they already dispatched additional helicopters from the Tactical Operations Group (TOG-XI) in the ongoing evacuation and rescue operations.

Villanueva said the troops encountered the NPAs under alias Dodong of Guerilla Front 71 in Far South Regional Committee.

“While they were approaching the encampment of NPA, the rebels were already in defensive position and laid down landmines which caused injury to the troops,” he said.

Villanueva said that last Nov. 1, the soldiers were already attacked by the same group of rebels who wanted to stop the ongoing construction of school building in Sitio Akbal, Upper Suyan in Malapatan.

“The troops of 73rd IB serve as security when they were attacked,” he said.

http://mindanaotimes.net/chopper-crash-almost-became-fatal-officer/

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