Remains of cop in Washington crash to be repatriated

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police is working with authorities to repatriate the remains of Col. Pergentino Malabed Jr., one of the fatalities in a mid-air collision involving a commercial aircraft and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter in Washington last week, a PNP official said yesterday.

According to PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo, Malabed’s family coordinated with the Philippine police attaché in Washington to make the necessary arrangements.

“They are working on the papers to bring home Colonel Malabed’s remains so he can be given the proper honors according to his family’s wishes,” Fajardo said in an interview over dzBB.

Malabed, who served as the supply management division chief of the PNP Directorate for Logistics, was on official travel to inspect 2,675 bulletproof vests being procured by the PNP. 

He had traveled from India to Kansas for the pre-delivery inspection. He was in Washington for an exit call with the PNP’s police attaché, Col. Moises Villaceran, when the accident occurred.

Fajardo said two other PNP personnel who accompanied Malabed on the India trip were not with him during the Washington accident.

“They were scheduled to return to the Philippines on Feb. 2,” she said.

Authorities in Washington initially identified Malabed through his passport and documents.

His wife has arrived in the United States to identify him, according to Fajardo.