Philippine Air Force honors 4 airmen who died in helicopter crash

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) honored the service of the four airmen who died in a helicopter crash in Cauayan, Isabela on Thursday.

PAF Commanding General Lieutenant General Allen Paredes led the military honors given on Friday at Clark Air Base in Pampanga as the remains of the airmen arrived.

Paredes gave a final salute to the gallant airmen and expressed condolences to their relatives.

On Saturday morning, the PAF held departure honors at Clark Air Base before the victims' remains were transferred to their home provinces.

The PAF said it will extend the necessary assistance to the bereaved families.

Four airmen died on Thursday night when the UH-1D Huey helicopter they were riding crashed shortly after takeoff at the Tactical Operations Group 2 in Cauayan, Isabela.

Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesman Major General Edgard Arevalo on Friday said the four PAF personnel included two pilots, one crew and another officer. 

Arevalo identified the fatalities as Captain Fiorelio Bernardo, Major Christopher Cesar Urbano, First Lieutenant Mike Tuesday Tabigne, and Staff Sergeant John Cristopher Taguiam.

The PAF personnel wounded is Airman First Class Gerry Aviles who is still undergoing medical treatment, Arevalo said.

The Air Force said investigation is ongoing to determine the cause of the accident. —KG, GMA News