(By Priam Nepomuceno)
AFP spokesperson, Marine Maj. Gen. Edgard Arevalo. (File photo)
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff Gen. Felimon Santos has committed to help the families and loved ones of the four Air Force personnel who died when their UH-1D helicopter crashed shortly after take-off at the Cauayan Air Station, Isabela on Thursday night.
"He (Santos) commits to help facilitate the assistance and other entitlements of our gallant Philippine Air Force personnel who died in line-of-duty," military spokesperson, Marine Maj. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said in a press statement on Friday.
The UH-ID helicopter, with tail number 8308, five persons aboard including two pilots, two aircrewmen, and another officer, was taking off for a proficiency training for night flying when the accident happened at 6:58 p.m.
Arevalo identified the fatalities in the accident as Major Christopher Cesar A. Urbano (pilot-in-command), Capt. Fiorelio D. Bernardo (co-pilot), 1st Lt. Mike Tuesday T. Tabigne and Staff Sgt. John Christopher R Taguiam.
Meanwhile, the lone survivor identified as Airman 1st Class Gerry Aviles Jr., is undergoing treatment.
The helicopter was from the Philippine Air Force (PAF)'s 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing while the Cauayan Air Station is under Tactical Operations Group 2 (TOG 2).
"AFP chief Gen. Felimon Santos Jr. expresses deep grief and extends condolences and prayers on behalf of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to the families and colleagues of the airmen who perished in this air operations mishap," Arevalo said.
The Department of National Defense (DND), meanwhile, condoled with the families of the Air Force personnel who died in the mishap.
"The PAF is now investigating the cause of the incident and all possible assistance will be extended to the next of kin of those who perished," DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said in a statement.
Meanwhile, PAF spokesperson Lt. Col. Aristides Galang said all remaining UH-1D helicopters of the Air Force are on hold status for "thorough inspection" as part of their safety procedure.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1109934
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