Widow of Quezon governor who died in chopper crash asks DoJ to probe incident

MANILA, Philippines—The widow of Quezon Governor Rafael Nantes has asked Justice Secretary Leila de Lima to order an investigation surrounding the death of her husband.

Nantes died in a helicopter crash last year while he was on his way to Manila to meet with political lawyer Romulo Macalintal to turn over evidence of election anomalies in his area.

Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) Director Betty Nantes said they sought an investigation because they were not convinced by the finding of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) that the accident was caused by a pilot error.

Mrs. Nantes said that even before her husband boarded the chopper, his supporters had already received messages that her husband was already dead.

She said the CAAP report was based only on Acetone and water swabs taken from the crash site, which yielded negative to the test for explosives and explosive ingredients.

Nantes and five others were killed in a chopper crash on Saturn St., Jael Subdivision, Barangay (village) Iyam, Lucena City, on May 17, 2010.

Other fatalities included Master Sergeant Alfredo Dominguez and Police Officer 3 Randy Roprez, security aides; retired Captain Nestor Sanchez, helicopter pilot; and Rowena Navales, a resident of the subdivision.