Gamboa: Police general hurt in chopper crash still in coma; other official now conscious

One of the police generals who was critically hurt in a chopper crash in Laguna last March remains in comatose, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Archie Francisco Gamboa said Wednesday.

"Si [Police Major] General [Jose Maria] Ramos 'yun pa rin coma pa rin siya, nakakalungkot talaga, we are still praying he will be able to recover," Gamboa said in a radio interview.

Meanwhile, Gamboa said Police Major General Mariel Magaway, the other high-ranking police official who was seriously hurt, is already conscious and undergoing therapy.

"Actually gising na at nag-uundergo na siya ng mga physical therapy at occupational therapy and then 'yung mga reactions niya pati 'yung kaniyang perception yata sa brain are normal," Gamboa said.

"He can recall you, nakakausap na siya paminsan-minsan," Gamboa added.

The PNP chief also said the pilots of the chopper were still undergoing rehabilitation.

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 transpired.

Gamboa and PNP spokesman Police Brigadier General Bernard Banac were also hurt in the accident. Both have since gone back to duty. — Anna Felicia Bajo/RSJ, GMA News