Chopper carrying PNP chief Gamboa crashes in Laguna

A helicopter carrying Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Archie Francisco Gamboa crashed in Laguna on Thursday morning, according to Ralph Obina's report on Dobol B sa News TV.

Gamboa, who was in Laguna to inspect the lateral compound of the Highway Patrol Group (HPG), was rushed to Westlake Medical Center in San Pedro town.

Aside from Gamboa, those onboard the two-year-old Bell 429 chopper were:

• PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Bernard Banac
• PNP director for Comptrollership Police Major General Jovic Ramos
• Director for Intelligence Police Major General Mariel Magaway
• Police Lieutenant Colonel Ruel Zalatar, pilot
• Police Lieutenant Colonel Macawili, co-pilot
• Police Senior Master Sergeant Estona, crew,
• Police Captain Gayrama, aide-de-camp of Gamboa

Gamboa conscious

Interviewed by Obina, Police Captain Edgar Miguel of the PNP HPG, who was among the first on the scene, said Gamboa was conscious when he was pulled out from the wreckage and was asking about the other people in the chopper.

"As far as the chief PNP is concerned, he was conscious nung makuha namin," he said.

Gambao's stable condition was further confirmed by Lieutenant Generals Camilio Cascolan, PNP deputy chief for administration and Guillermo Eleazar, chief of the PNP directorial staff in separate interviews on Dobol B sa News TV.

"Nasa mabuti siyang lagay, maganda po ang kaniyang lagay," Cascolan said, adding that he was able to talk to Gamboa over the phone.

"Salamat sa Diyos naman at ang ating chief PNP ay nasa maayos na kalagayan," Eleazar said. 

On the condition of the others in the chopper, PNP-HPG's Miguel said: "Okay naman po 'yung iba, 'yung iba 'di ko masabi."

He added that some were unconscious and some had head injuries.

'Sumabit sa wire'

In a separate interview, Laguna Police chief Police Lieutenant Colonel Serafin Petalio said the chopper got tangled with a wire due to poor visibility caused by the dust.

“Pag take-off doon siya sa maalikabok eh. Siyempre lumabo, sumabit sa wire,” he said.

Miguel said the chopper was "on fire": "Nakita ko umaapoy na 'yung chopper."

The chopper was torn in half as a result of the crash.

Petalio said Gamboa was injured on his right shoulder but was in stable condition. "So far, okay naman. May galos lang sa kanang balikat," he said.

"Nagkaroon po ng media presentation dun sa ginagamit na impounding area ng Highway Patrol Group," Miguel said of the event in San Pedro that Gamboa and the other police officials attended. —with Anna Felicia Bajo/KBK/RSJ, GMA News