(Update) Chavit says his chopper crashlanded in Bontoc

A helicopter carrying Team Unity senatorial candidate Luis "Chavit" Singson crashlanded on a mountainous area in Bontoc province. No casualties were reported, radio dzBB said on Monday. The report said Singson sustained minor injuries to the head, torso and foot and was brought to a clinic in Banawe town and later transferred to the Makati Medical Center. He was with an escort and a photographer. They were on their way to Ifugao province to campaign for the May polls. Initial police reports said the pilot identified as Capt. Diosdado Lumalanlan, was forced to make an emergency landing due to engine trouble. The chopper rented by Singson, with body number R-44 and registry no. RPC 2782, flew through heavy clouds above an uneven terrain at about 8 a.m. Cordillera Police Chief Raul Banzali said he received reports on the incident shortly after 3 p.m. He said the site was 30 minutes away by land from the nearest police headquarters in the area. At about 3:25 p.m., Monday, Singson told radio dzBB that he was already okay. He also parried speculations that he orchestrated the incident to get media attention for his senatorial bid. "Baka sabihin, gawa-gawa ko lang ito". Hostage-taker Armando Ducat Jr, had earlier scored Singson for allegedly using the bus siege to advance his political bid. Last month, Ducat, owner of a school in Tondo, Manila, took hostage of his own pupils and teachers inside a bus. Ducat said he was dismayed with the politicking of the Ilocos Sur governor during the hostage crisis. He said that when Singson went inside the bus, the administration bet refused to go down. - GMANews.TV