7 soldiers hurt as Air Force chopper crashes in Agusan Norte

TAGUM CITY, Philippines—Seven soldiers were hurt when a Philippine Air Force helicopter crashed in Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte, early Sunday, a military official said.

The accident happened as the UH-1H helicopter, more popularly known as Huey, of the 10th Advance Tactical Command Post of the 10th PAF-Tactical Operations Group, was airlifting a wounded soldier and transporting provisions to troops battling the communist New People’s Army in the province, said Major Eugenio Julio Osias, spokesman of the army’s 4th Infantry Division based in Cagayan de Oro City.

Osias, in a statement, said the chopper was about to land when it crashed in Sitio (subvillage) Zapanta, Bangayan village around 10:30 a.m.

The two pilots and five soldier passengers sustained injuries and were rushed to the nearest hospital for treatment, the military spokesman said, adding an investigation was being conducted to ascertain the cause of the accident.

“We are saddened that one of our reliable assets in the conduct of our operations to expedite the Filipino people’s fight against insurgency crashed this morning,” said Major General Victor Felix, 4th ID commander.