PNP chief under fire over helicopter crash

STA. CRUZ, Laguna, Philippines — Philippine National Police chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos must explain the circumstances surrounding the crash of a PNP helicopter that was supposed to pick him up at the Balesin Airport in Quezon province on Monday, Sen. Panfilo Lacson said yesterday.

Lacson, a former PNP chief, cautioned the public against prejudging Carlos over the incident that killed Pat. Allen Noel Ona and injured pilots Lt. Col. Dexter Vitug and Lt. Col. Michael Melloria.

“We should know whether the PNP chief attended an official function on the island. If that was a personal thing, then that’s a problem,” Lacson told journalists.

He said PNP officials must lead by example as he did when he was the head of the police force.

“I’m not accusing him of anything. Assuming that the event was a personal thing, he should not have used the resources of the PNP,” Lacson said.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said Carlos would not be forced to go on leave over the incident.

Año said Carlos had the right to use the PNP helicopter as chief of the police organization.

Malacañang refused to comment on the use of the PNP’s air asset for the personal trip of the PNP chief.

“Let’s wait for the results of the investigation that will be conducted by the Department of the Interior and Local Government,” acting presidential spokesman Karlo Nograles said.

Nograles conveyed Malacañang’s condolences to the family of Ona, who left behind his pregnant partner Jeneca Bartolome.

Carlos yesterday confirmed that he went to Balesin over the weekend. He said he returned to Camp Crame on Saturday afternoon after attending the homecoming of the Philippine Military Academy in Baguio City in the morning.

“On Sunday afternoon, I traveled to Balesin Island for some private time and scheduled to return on Monday morning in a private transport,” Carlos said in a statement.

He admitted requesting for an administration flight after he was informed that the private transport that he was supposed to take was not available.

“This prompted me to request for an admin flight that would bring me back to Camp Crame on Monday morning so I can perform my duties,” he said.

The PNP Air Unit said it sent an H125 Airbus to pick up Carlos at the Balesin Airport.

Carlos said the flight directive was allowed and issued based on PNP rules and regulations.

“I regret that the accident happened and never wish to bring harm to my personnel or losses to the organization,” he said.

Carlos gave assurance that a thorough investigation would be conducted on the incident. – Romina Cabrera, Helen Flores, Emmanuel Tupas