3 cops survive Kalinga helicopter crash

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines – A police colonel and two others narrowly cheated death after their Robinson R44 helicopter crashed into a mountain in Tinglayan town, Kalinga before noon yesterday. 

Senior Superintendent Froilan Perez, Kalinga police director, identified the three as Superintendent Oliver Emmodias, chief of operations of the Cordillera police; and the helicopter’s pilot, Chief Inspector Dexter Vitug, and co-pilot, PO3 Jude Edwin Duque.

According to reports, the three policemen, who were immediately rescued by an Air Force plane, only sustained minor injuries and were rushed to a hospital in Tabuk City, the capital of Kalinga.  

The helicopter, according to initial reports, suffered mechanical malfunction, causing it to crash into Mt. Bitulayungan while about to land at the police command post in Tinglayan town at 11:15 a.m. yesterday.

Besides mechanical trouble, reports said strong winds and the helicopter’s heavy load were also being eyed as probable cause of the accident.   

The helicopter, which took off from Kalinga police headquarters in Tabuk City, was conducting an aerial marijuana eradication survey when the incident happened.  

The helicopter’s rotor blade and body frame sustained damage as a result of the crash, reports said. – Charlie Lagasca, Raymund Catindig, Cecille Suerte Felipe