FILIPINO POLICE COLONEL  AMONG 67 FATALITIES IN US PLANE-CHOPPER COLLISION

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday confirmed that a Filipino policeman was among the 67 fatalities in the collision between a military helicopter and a commercial plane near Washington D.C..

PNP information chief Col. Randulf Tuaño  identified the deceased as Col. Pergentino Malabed, chief of the Supply Management Division under the Directorate for Logistics.

Malabed was on official travel when the mishap occurred on Wednesday night (US time).

Tuaño said that Malabed, another police officer and a non-uniformed staff arrived in India from Manila on January 22 to inspect vests to be acquired by the PNP.

Malabed’s group then left India and arrived in the United States on the same day.

“Ang ginawa nila doon, napag-alaman natin sa ating foreign liaison division na out of the 2,675 vests, nag-test sila doon ng anim. Ang isa doon iniwan nila sa India at ‘yung lima is dadalhin nila doon sa shop ng kumpanyang ito sa USA kung saan nila gagawin ‘yung further testing,” Tuaño told a press briefing in Camp Crame, Quezon City.

Tuaño said that from Kansas, Malabed traveled alone to Washington, D.C. for an exit call with Col. Moises Villaceran, the Philippines’ police attaché in Washington.

Malabed’s two companions survived as they left for Manila on January 27.

According to Tuaño, the police force already contacted Malabed’s family and is coordinating with the Philippines’ police attaché in Washington, D.C. for the repatratiation.

“We extend our deepest condolences to his bereaved family, loved ones and colleagues. The PNP is committed to providing them with all necessary support during this difficult time,” Tuaño said.

“As we grieve this tragic event, we also honor the dedication and sacrifice of Col. Malabed. His contributions to the PNP and the nation will never be forgotten. May he rest in peace,” he added.

Meanwhile, as of Friday, 41 of the victims’ bodies had been recovered as crews worked to pull the wreckage from the Potomac River.

The incident was described as America’s deadliest air disaster in two decades.

U.S. authorities restricted helicopter flights near Reagan Washington National Airport on Friday following the midair collision.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the  Federal Aviation Administration restricted helicopter flights to reduce the risk of another collision.

Duffy said the restrictions will last at least until the National Transportation Safety Board releases a preliminary report into the fatal collision, which typically takes 30 days. 

The ill-fated American Airlines plane was approaching Ronald Reagan National Airport when the US Army helicopter flew into its path.

There were 60 passengers and four crew members aboard the passenger plane, while three soldiers were abroad the helicopter.