Pilots delivering relief goods show signs of fatigue

MANILA, Philippines - Filipino pilots flying relief goods to typhoon-devastated areas in the Visayas appear to be  experiencing air fatigue after a month of nearly non-stop missions.

On Friday, five soldiers and two civilians were injured when an Air Force helicopter flying relief missions crashed in Leyte.

A Leyte-based disaster official said: “The pilots could be already tired, while our aircraft are already overused.”

The helicopter went down between the towns of Burauen and Lapaz Friday afternoon.

All passengers, including the two pilots, managed to get out of the helicopter safely. 

Authorities are withholding the identities of the pilots and the passengers.

On Tuesday, a  helicopter landed very close  to a Japanese military helicopter unloading relief cargo in a former military airport in Guiuan, Eastern Samar.

No more selfies

Policemen taking selfies in disaster-stricken areas face administrative charges.

In a memorandum, Director Lina Sarmiento, Directorate for Police Community Relations (DPCR)director, said policemen in disaster-affected areas are prohibited to take  selfies.  

“Please be guided that all PNP personnel are prohibited from taking ‘selfie’ photos in typhoon-stricken areas particularly in Leyte, Samar and some parts of Visayas,” read the  memorandum.

Sarmiento said she has not personally seen selfies  of policemen taken from  typhoon-affected areas, but she has been receiving complaints about it.

“For violators, they can be charged administratively for violation of policy,” she said.

Sarmiento said a selfie  does not help ease the devastation of typhoon Yolanda.

“Such act is not in accordance with the protocols of police officers who are on a tour of duty,” she said.

“The PNP’s presence must be maximized to uphold peace and order in the areas.”

Oxford Dictionary defines selfie as a photograph one has taken of oneself, usually with a smartphone or webcam, she added.  – With Cecille Suerte Felipe