MANILA, Philippines — The health conditions of the two high-ranking police officials who were critically injured during a helicopter crash last week are “improving.”
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Archie Gamboa, however, said that Maj. Gen. Mariel Magaway, PNP Director for Intelligence and Maj. Gen. Jose Maria Ramos, Director for Comptrollership remain in critical condition.
They are currently in the intensive care unit at the Asian Hospital in Muntinlupa City.
“Ramos and Magaway remain in critical condition from serious injuries sustained in that incident. We received latest reports though that their conditions are improving,” Gamboa told reporters in a press conference on Monday in Camp Crame.
Last Thursday, the Bell 429 chopper that carried Gamboa and seven others crashed in San Pedro, Laguna province, after it got in contact with a live wire.
READ: Chopper carrying PNP chief Gamboa crashes in Laguna
The helicopter reportedly tried to take off from a dusty portion of the area, which affected visibility.
Gamboa, himself, suffered a minor injury on his right shoulder.
READ: PNP chief Gamboa, 7 others survive chopper crash in Laguna – Eleazar
Meanwhile, pilot Lt. Col. Ruel Zalatar, co-pilot Lt. Col. Rico Macawili, and helicopter crew Senior Master Sergeant Louie Estona are still undergoing tests and medical procedures.
Their conditions are “non-life threatening,” Gamboa said.
Other PNP officials involved in the incident, namely PNP spokesman Brig. Gen Bernard Banac and Gamboa’s aide-de-camp Capt. Keventh Gayramara, have already been discharged from the hospital.
All debris of the PNP chopper have already been cleared from the crash site and are secured at the agency’s hangar where it will undergo tests by experts commissioned by the special investigation task group (SITG) tasked to probe the incident.
The entire aircraft fleet of the PNP remain grounded until the suspension is otherwise recommended lifted by the SITG, Gamboa said.