Police Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa, Philippine National Police chief, was back to work yesterday, four days after the unfortunate chopper crash in San Pedro City, Laguna last week involving him and seven other policemen.
“It has been a long and most eventful week that we just went through and until this day, we continue to cope with the aftermath of that unfortunate experience in San Pedro, Laguna,” said Gamboa who faced media with his arm in a sling during the regular press briefing in Camp Crame in Quezon City.
Gamboa earlier attended the customary flag-raising ceremony where he spoke to hundreds of policemen.
He said that he was fine but he confirmed that Major Gen. Jose Ma. Victor Ramos, director for comptrollership, and Police Major Gen. Mariel Magaway, director for Intelligence, remain in critical condition from serious injuries sustained in the incident.
They are being monitored at the Intensive Care Unit of the Asian Hospital in Muntinlupa City but Gamboa said he received reports that their conditions are improving.
“Generally, OK naman sila but of course they remain in the ICU at alam naman natin na kapag nandun ka sa ICU you are on close monitoring,” he said.
Police Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac, PNP spokesperson, and Police Capt. Keventh Gayramara, Gamboa’s aide de camp, have been discharged from hospital confinement while Police Lt. Col. Roel Zalatar and Police Lt. Col. Rico Macawili, the two police pilots, including crew member, Police Senior Master Sergeant Luis Estona, are still undergoing further tests and medical procedures.
Estona underwent surgery last Friday at St. Luke’s Medical Center where he is confined, Gamboa said.
“The condition of the pilots and crew are, nonetheless, non-life threatening,” Gamboa said. (Martin Sadongdong)
