MANILA, Philippines — Two more personnel of the Philippine Air Force were confirmed dead in a helicopter crash in Isabela, bringing the number of fatalities to four, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Friday.
AFP spokesperson Maj. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said the four Air Force personnel died when their Huey helicopter crashed shortly after take-off at around 6:58 p.m. Thursday in the vicinity of the Tactical Operations Group 2 area in Cauayan City.
The helicopter was carrying five personnel who were training for night flying proficiency when the crash happened.
Arevalo identified those who died as pilot-in-command Maj. Christopher Cesar Urbano, co-pilot Cpt. Fiorelio Bernardo, officer on board First Lt. Mike Tuesday Tabigne, and aircrew SSg. John Christopher Taguiam.
The survivor was identified as Airman First Class Gerry Aviles Jr. who is now confined in a hospital.
Initial information from the Cagayan Valley police on Thursday said two bodies have been retrieved from the wreckage of the helicopter while the remains of the two other personnel have yet to be found.
“AFP Chief General Felimon Santos, Jr. expresses deep grief and extends condolences and prayers on behalf of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to the families and colleagues of the airmen who perished in this air operations mishap,” said Arevalo.
“He commits to helping facilitate the assistance and other entitlements of our gallant Philippine Air Force personnel who died in the line of duty,” Arevalo added.