Survivors of PAF chopper crash in Bohol now out of danger

CEBU CITY—The three Philippine Air Force men, who survived a helicopter crash in Bohol province on Tuesday (April 27), are now out of danger and recuperating in different hospitals in Cebu.

In a statement, the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas (OPAV) said two of the survivors are confined at the Allegiant Regional Care Hospital in Lapu-Lapu City while one is at the Benito Ebuen Airbase Hospital on Mactan Island.

The helicopter’s co-pilot, 1Lt. Hilary Bunao, is already able to walk but is still confined at the airbase hospital.

Airman 1st Class Bonn Arasola and Airman 1st Class Rex Anapyo were recuperating at the private ARC Hospital, also on Mactan Island.

Arasola had lacerations and head trauma while Anapyo suffered head and chest wounds.

The remains of Capt. Aurelios Olano, the lone fatality in the crash, would be brought to Bohol, his hometown.

Official reports said the PAF helicopter took off Mactan Airbase for periodic maintenance flight but suddenly ran into air turbulence.

Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, President Rodrigo Duterte’s closest confidante, visited the survivors on Tuesday and promised to give financial aid to the Air Force men.

Go was in Cebu on Tuesday (April 27) for the 500th anniversary of the Battle of Mactan in Lapu-Lapu City.

The OPAV, in a statement, said Go “personally expressed his sympathy” to the survivors and the family of the fatality.

It said Go and Duterte are giving not only money but also paying for the hospital expenses of the airmen.

Anthony Gerard Gonzales, OPAV undersecretary, also visited the surviving airmen.

TSB