Gamboa OKs task group’s reco to probe pilot, crew admin and criminal liability over Laguna chopper crash

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Archie Francisco Gamboa has approved the recommendation of the special investigation task group, which looked into the chopper crash in Laguna, to probe the pilot in command if he will be administratively and criminally held liable over the accident.

"There is a recommendation for investigation of the pilot in command on both administrative and criminal charges. So, sabi ko yes you may conduct an investigation and find out whether there are administrative or criminal culpabilities of the pilot in command and of course including the crew," Gamboa said at a press briefing on Monday.

"There were suggestions on enhancing, revisiting our police operational procedures when it comes to the use of our air assets at nagawa na nila 'yun," Gamboa added.

According to Gamboa, the pilot in command, Police Lieutenant Colonel Ruel Zalatar, as well as co-pilot Police Lieutenant Colonel Macawili and crew Police Senior Master Sergeant Estona, have been assigned at the administrative holding unit pending probe on the incident.

On March 5, a chopper — a two-year-old Bell 429 — hit a high tension wire upon lift-off due to poor visibility caused by thick dust, causing it to crash in San Pedro City.

The PNP officials on board the aircraft were set to inspect a lateral compound of the PNP Highway Patrol Group when the accident happened.

Gamboa and PNP spokesman Police Brigadier General Bernard Banac were also hurt in the accident. The PNP chief  said he believes the incident was not a case of sabotage.

In May, Police Major General Mariel Magaway, one of the police officials seriously hurt in the accident, was discharged from the Asian Hospital Medical Center. He would still have to continue his therapy.

Meanwhile, according to Banac, the PNP has no latest information yet about the condition of Police Major General Jose Maria Ramos, who has been in deep coma following the accident.

More pilots, choppers

At the same press briefing, Gamboa also mentioned that a total of 11 pilots will be trained to fly the police organization's air assets.

"By the end of September, we are expecting that there will be around 13 pilots in command who can actually now fly the air assets," Gamboa said.

He also said three additional H-125 units would be delivered by October. With this, Gamboa said the PNP can open air units in Cebu and Davao.

"So we are seeing that by February of next year, our choppers are already deployed in these places and then hopefully kung makuha rin natin ''yung insurance noong nacrash na helicopters which is around P425 million, then we can again buy a twin-engine helicopters or at least two single engine helicopters," Gamboa said.

Gamboa said he is convinced that the PNP's air assets are all airworthy despite the unfortunate incident.

"I am riding on July 17 to convince all of you that I am convinced that our choppers are airworthy including the pilots," he said. — RSJ, GMA News