Chopper was on its way to pick up PNP chief when it crashed

The police helicopter that crashed in Real, Quezon on Monday morning had been on its way to pick up Philippine National Police chief General Dionardo Carlos.

According to Raffy Tima's report on 24 Oras, the H-125 Airbus helicopter took off from the Manila Domestic Airport in Pasay City at 6:17 a.m. for Balesin, Quezon, where Carlos had been staying with his family.

The helicopter was later declared missing, and the crash site was located past 8 a.m.

The PNP said that the flight was considered an administrative mission flight.

"Si Chief PNP nasa Quezon nung weekend for some private time with his family," PNP spokesperson Police Lieutenant Colonel Jean Fajardo said.

"Hindi naging available yung commercial flight na dapat pi-pick up sa kanya, na hapon pa dadating. Yung air unit natin said, 'Sir, yung dalawang chopper is available' for disposal ng Chief PNP, which is normal naman, so ang sabi ni Chief, 'Sige, isa lang.'"

It took rescuers several hours to reach the mountainous area where the chopper crashed, and several more hours to bring the victims down to be flown to the hospital. 

The pilot and co-pilot, Police Lieutenant Colonels Dexter Vitug and Michael Melloria, were brought to Claro M. Recto Hospital in Infanta, Quezon, while crewman Police Patrolman Allen Noel Ona was identified as the lone fatality.

The injured were later flown to Camp Crame.

The PNP has grounded its four Airbus H-125 helicopters. — BM, GMA News