BY MARTIN A. SADONGDONG
A military helicopter carrying a soldier who got wounded following an explosion in Lanao del Sur crashed in Madalum town on Thursday afternoon, killing the soldier and injuring four others including the pilot, the Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) reported.
A report from the WestMinCom said a Philippine Air Force (PAF) UH1H helicopter was dispatched to conduct an air evacuation of four members of the 55th Infantry Battalion who got wounded after an improvised explosive device (IED) went off while they were conducting combat operations in Barangay Lilitun at 9 a.m.
However, the rescue chopper, which arrived at 4:15 p.m., crash landed shortly after it picked up the wounded military personnel, the report added.
Investigators were dispatched on the site to determine the exact cause of the crash.
However, Major General Gene Ponio, commander of 1st Infantry Division, said that prior to the crash, the pilot of the chopper decided to conduct an emergency landing “due to bad weather.”
The crash site was about 350 meters from the explosion site.
“All pilots, crew and other passengers survived and were only slightly injured. However, the critically wounded personnel from the IED explosion had expired,” the report said.
Meanwhile, Ponio expressed his condolences to the families and friends of the hero trooper. The identities of the victims were withheld as of this writing.
“We have done everything just to save our wounded soldier the fastest way we can through our air assets. Unfortunately the incident happened,” Ponio said.
“Rest assured that the benefits of the fallen trooper will be taken cared and the financial or other assistance will be given to his immediate family,” he added.
The rest of the wounded troopers, including the personnel of the Air Force, were treated and now in stable condition, Ponio said. (Martin A. Sadongdong)
