Heroism amid tragedy: Gamboa’s aide helped rescue PNP chief in chopper crash

Capt. Keventh Gayramara, aide of PNP chief Gen. Archie Gamboa, narrates the ordeal they went through during the crash of the Bell 429 helicopter they were riding in San Pedro, Laguna on Thursday morning, March 5, 2020. (Contributed photo)

MANILA, Philippines — Even during near-death situation, the aide-de-camp assigned to Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Archie Gamboa still chose to preserve the life of his boss, the country’s top cop, when the helicopter they were riding plummeted to the ground in San Pedro, Laguna on Thursday morning.

Capt. Keventh Gayramara, in an interview with reporters shortly after his release at the St. Lukes Medical Center in Taguig City on Friday afternoon, recalled the ordeal they went through as the Bell 429 chopper they were riding crashed when it got tangled into the electrical wires in Barangay San Antonio.

“Hinila ko si chief—kasi sa may bandang side ko siya—tinulak ko siya pataas kasi may mga nagrerescue na rin, may mga responder. Sabi ko hilahin niyo, dahil hindi na rin ako masyadong makagalaw,” he said.

(I pulled the chief—he was beside me—then I pushed him up because I already saw the responders. I told them to pull him up, because I myself could not move much.)

Asked how he himself was able to get out of the helicopter, he said: “Ano na lang din siguro, adrenaline na lang [Maybe it was just because of adrenaline].”

He said he could not breathe well at the time since his chest slammed onto something when the aircraft hit the ground.

Gayramara added he could not see the condition of Maj. Gen. Mariel Magaway, PNP Director for Intelligence, and Maj. Gen. Jose Maria Ramos, Director for Comptrollership, who both remain unconscious and in unstable condition after the crash.

“Ang inaalala ko kasi, si [I was worried about] PNP chief,” said Gayramara.

During the accident, Gayramara was sitting at the first row of the eight-seat helicopter, in the middle of Gamboa and Magaway.

According to the young police officer, the helicopter rotated several times when the pilots lost control of the aircraft.

“Narinig ko lang po na parang may kumalabog sa bandang likod. ‘Yun na po. Nagpaikot-ikot na po ‘yung chopper. ‘Yun ‘yung parang last ko na na-recall [I heard a loud thudding sound at the back. The helicopter then went into a swirling motion several times. That’s the last thing I can recall],” he said.

Gayramara himself sustained abrasions and bruises in the left part of his body, but assured he is fit to return to work on Monday alongside Gamboa.

During the interview, he described that his head is “slightly groggy.”

He also thanked everyone who prayed for his fast recovery, as well as those of the other officers.

“Thank you po sa lahat, lalo na yung mga classmates ko, sa mga kaibigan ko sa Davao. Andito po ‘yung mother ko. She flew from Davao, kagabi lang po sila nakarating,” he said.

(Thank you, everyone, especially to my classmates, to my friends in Davao. My mother is here. She flew from Davao. They only arrived here yesterday night.)

Edited by JPV