PNP sees quick probe on helicopter crash

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police is seeing a quick probe  on the helicopter crash in San Pedro City, Laguna that injured PNP chief Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa and other ranking police officials, according to PNP deputy chief for operations Lt. Gen. Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar.

While there is no specific timetable, Eleazar sees the investigation to be completed soon with the presence of numerous eyewitnesses and videos that documented the helicopter before and after it went down.

The official said the incident last Thursday is different from other aircraft accident investigations, which take months and even years to complete due to the absence of witnesses.

Eleazar is the head of the Special Investigation Task Group Bell 429 that is probing the crash, which injured Gamboa and eight other officers, including three police generals.

Two of the ranking police officials, Maj. Gen. Mariel Magaway, director for intelligence and Maj. Gen. Jose Ma. Victor Ramos, director for comptrollership, remain in critical condition.

Meanwhile, PNP spokesman Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac was discharged from hospital last Saturday afternoon.

Eleazar said probers already had an initial conversation with the pilot  Lt. Col. Ruel Zalatar and co-pilot Lt. Col Rico Macawili, but they have yet to discuss in detail the circumstances surrounding the accident.

“It was a very casual conversation and we have yet to put it in writing,” Eleazar said in a phone interview.

He added that it is too early to conclude if the two pilots committed errors that led to the crash.

The helicopter just took off from the Laperal Compound in Barangay San Antonio when it got snagged by electrical cables before crashing and catching fire.

Aside from pilot error, the police are also looking at airworthiness and lapses in landing site selection and preparation as the possible causes of the crash.

The PNP will also indemnify residents whose properties where damaged as a result of the crash.

“We are already coordinating and we will compensate them,” Eleazar said. – With Ed Amoroso