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A firefighter puts out the fire in a helicopter that crashed while transporting the then head of the PNP, General Archie Gamboa, and seven other people in the city of San Pedro, Laguna. Photo courtesy of Roselle Aquino
MANILA, Philippines – The pilot in command during the police helicopter crash in Laguna last March faces an administrative case of serious misconduct with the Internal Affairs Service of the Philippine National Police (PNP-IAS).
PNP spokesman Colonel Ysmael Yu said Tuesday that the findings of a special investigation task force (SITG) assigned to investigate the incident recommended that the pilot-in-command “be responsible for criminal and administrative capabilities.”
Thus, an administrative case of serious misconduct (reckless recklessness resulting in serious physical injuries, multiple less serious physical injuries and property damage according to article 365 of the Revised Penal Code) was already filed in September against the pilot in command.
Yu, for his part, said that the filing of a criminal case is still subject to review by the office of the head of the PNP, General Camilo Cascolan.
Likewise, the SITG recommended security measures to prevent a similar incident from being repeated.
According to the SITG’s findings, the pilot-in-command did not conduct a risk assessment before the helicopter took off. Yu said that this is necessary for a trained pilot.
There was also a lack of situational awareness and assessment of the environment, which are part of the protocol for a safe and proper takeoff, and there were some misjudgments on the part of the pilot-in-command.
The SITG also said there were no problems with both engines of the helicopter and that it was “fit to fly.”
On March 5, a police helicopter, carrying senior PNP police officers, including then-PNP chief Archie Gamboa, and later PNP spokesman Brig. General Bernard Banac, crashed in San Pedro, Laguna.
Police officers were ready to inspect a PNP Highway Patrol Group compound when the accident occurred.
Major General José María Ramos, who was among the passengers in critical condition after the accident, died at 12:07 am on Tuesday.
Cascolan expressed his condolences to the Ramos family and to the entire class of 1986 of the Philippine Military Academy “Sinagtala”.
“Police Major General Joevic Ramos fought a good fight to enjoy his supposed retirement from duty on November 25 with his family, but the Almighty has another plan for him,” Cascolan said.
“The PNP extends its deepest condolences to his wife, children, and other members of his family, including the 1986 Sinagtala PMA Class,” he added.
JPV
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