2 Cabinet members safe after copter malfunctions

Two cabinet secretaries and some members of the media failed to be with President Arroyo in Badian town because the helicopter of the Philippine Air Force they were riding in malfunctioned as it was taking off.

Secretary Joseph Ace Durano of the Department of Tourism said that the helicopter boarded by Secretary Cerge Remonde of the Government Media Group, Secretary Rafael Lotilla of the Department of Energy, Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Felix Guanzon and some members of the Manila media hit branches of trees at Camp Lapulapu as it was taking off.

Durano said the chopper might have experienced minor mechanical problems that prompted the pilot to abort the flight.

The cabinet secretaries and the other people on board are safe.