President Duterte is glad that Philippine National Police chief Police Gen. Archie Gamboa and seven other policemen survived a helicopter crash in San Pedro City, Laguna yesterday morning.
Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo welcomed reports that Gamboa suffered no serious injury and expressed hope that the PNP chief and other police officials onboard the helicopter will have a swift recovery.
“The Palace is monitoring the developments following the crash of a helicopter carrying Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa, chief of the Philippine National Police, in San Pedro City, Laguna this morning, March 5,” Panelo said. “The Office of the President is glad that Police Gen. Gamboa is safe and suffered no serious injuries from the accident,” he added.
Panelo admitted that they were shocked by the helicopter crash but was relieved that no one was killed in the incident.
“We were shocked and sad to hear about the chopper crash but at the same time, we are glad only minor injuries were suffered by the passengers,” he said.
“Based on reports, riding with PNP chief Gamboa during the crash were Police Major Gen. Jose Ma. Victor Ramos, director of comptrollership, and Police Major Gen. Mariel Magaway, director of intelligence, as well as Police Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac, PNP spokesperson, Police Capt. Kevin Gayrama, aide-de-camp of the PNP chief, and Police SMS Louie Estona. Lt. Col. Zalatar was the pilot while Lt. Col. Macawili was his co-pilot,” Panelo said.
“All of them are now being attended to by doctors and we are hoping – as we are praying – for their swift recovery,” he added.
Panelo said they would wait for the results of the investigation into the helicopter crash. He also asked the public to avoid speculations about the incident until the probe is complete.
“Initial accounts reveal that the mishap was caused by the helicopter getting in contact with a high-tension wire due to poor visibility. With this, we ask the public to refrain from making speculations relative to the circumstances as we wait for the official results of the probe on the incident,” he said. (Genalyn Kabiling)