2 Navy pilots in chopper crash honored, buried at Libingan ng mga Bayani

The Philippine Navy renders arrival honors to its two pilots who tragically lost their lives in a helicopter crash, before they are laid to rest at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City. (Screengrab from Naval Public Affairs Office video)

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Navy (PN) on Friday rendered arrival honors to its two pilots who tragically lost their lives in a helicopter crash in Cavite City.

“The Philippine Navy, led by the Chief of Naval Staff, RAdm Jose Ma Ambrosio Ezpeleta PN render Arrival Honors to the late Naval Aviators who tragically lost their lives in the recent accident involving Philippine Navy helicopter NHT421,” the PN said.

“The ceremony marks the Navy’s commitment to honoring the legacy and sacrifice of the Navy pilots in service to the nation,” it added.

Last Thursday, a PN helicopter carrying Lt. John Kyle Borres, 36, and his female co-pilot, Ensign Izzah Leonah Taccad, 27, crashed near Cavite City Public Market.

“A PN Robinson R22 trainer helicopter conducted an emergency landing this morning [near] Cavite City Public Market,” Armed Forces of the Philippines Spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla told reporters.

“The two navy aviators were rushed to the hospital for medical treatment but succumbed to their injuries,” she said.

Borres and Taccad were assigned to the Naval Air Wing Sangley Point in Cavite City.