Eleazar condoles with kin of cop who died in chopper crash

By: Dennis Gutierrez - 3 years ago

(FILE PHOTO) Retired PNP chief Guillermo Eleazar.

MANILA, Philippines — Former Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar has expressed deepest sympathies to the family of a police officer who died in the police-owned helicopter which crashed in Quezon province on Monday morning, February 22.

At the same time, Eleazar said he joins the men and women of the PNP in praying for the full recovery of the two pilots who were injured in the chopper crash.

“Taos-puso akong nakikiramay sa pamilya ni Patrolman Allen Noel Ona na nasawi sa naganap na insidente ng helicopter crash sa Quezon kahapon at kasama din sa aking panalangin na malampasan ng dalawang piloto ang mga medical challenges na pinagdadaanan nila ngayon dahil sa insedente,” said Eleazar.

Photo from the Philippine National Police – Public Information Office

Eleazar said that all the pilots and air crew of the PNP are dependable and reliable in doing their job as what was proven when he was still in the police service after the acquisition of the police air assets.

“I could attest na magagaling at maasahan sila kaya naniniwala ako na nagkaroon ng external factors that are beyond their control kaya nangyari ang insidente. Hintayin na lang natin ang resulta ng isasagawang imbestigasyon upang malaman talaga natin kung ano talaga ang nangyari,” he said.

Initial police report indicated that the personnel onboard PNP Airbus H125 helicopter RP-9710 left Manila Domestic Airport at 6:17 a.m. for an administrative mission. The aircraft was then reported missing.

Photo from the Philippine National Police – Public Information Office

At 8:15 a.m., the Real Municipal Police Station received a report from the PNP Air Unit about the helicopter crash in Purok Mayaog, Barangay Pandan which led to the rescue of the three police personnel on board.

Unfortunately, Patrolman Ona suffered serious injuries that resulted in his death.

Eleazar, who is running for senator, has been openly pushing for full support to further improve the investigation and operational capabilities of the PNP, stressing that economic development is anchored on good peace and order.

If given the chance to serve in the Senate, Eleazar said he would push for the acquisition of modern assets and more training programs not only to improve the law enforcement capability of the PNP but also the external defense capability of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.