PNP chief rules out sabotage in chopper crash
MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police chief Archie Gamboa on Monday ruled out sabotage in last week’s crash of a Bell 429 helicopter that carried him and seven other police officials, two of whom remain in critical condition.
Gamboa said that doctors have observed improvements on the condition of PNP comptroller Maj. Gen. Jose Ma. Victor Ramos and intelligence chief Maj. Gen. Mariel Magaway.
At a press briefing in Camp Crame, Gamboa pointed out that while he, his aide-de-camp Capt. Keventh Gayramara, and PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac have been discharged from the hospital, Magaway and Ramos remain confined “though their conditions are improving.” He did not elaborate.
He said PNP pilots Lt. Col. Ruel Zalatar and Lt. Col. Rico Macawili as well as crew member Senior Master Sgt. Louie Estona are still undergoing tests and medical procedures.
The PNP chief pointed out that Estona had surgery last Friday at the St. Luke’s Medical Center. “The condition of the pilots and crew are, nonetheless, non-life threatening,” he said.
Gamboa ruled out sabotage as the cause of the Thursday helicopter crash in Laguna.
“I don’t believe so. I am personally convinced, being in that helicopter, nobody in his right mind even what kind of interest he has in mind, would do that,” he said.
“That’s why the general term is accident. It was not deliberately done by anyone, by those involved even in ground preparation, the chopper crew themselves, even the passengers. I strongly believe there was no sabotage,” he said.
But he clarified that it was his personal opinion and was not intended to pressure the special investigation task group (SITG) Bell 429. “Let’s wait for the SITG findings,” he said.
According to Gamboa, he intends to continue next week his cancelled command visits, particularly in the Ilocos region.
He said he would be traveling by land next week. “In due time I will ride a helicopter again,” he added.
The fleet of helicopters—four Airbus H125 and two Robinson R44 trainers—of the PNP special action force air unit remains grounded pending clearance from the SITG.
