VP Sara turns emotional at wake of 2 Navy pilots

Vice President Sara Duterte (Photo from the Philippine Navy)

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte turned emotional as she paid her respects to the two pilots who were killed after a Philippine Navy (PN) helicopter crashed near Cavite City Public Market last April 11.

According to PN, Duterte visited the wake of Lt. John Kyle Borres, 36, and his female co-pilot Ensign Izzah Leonah Taccad, 27, at the Libingan Ng Mga Bayani, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, on Saturday.

READ: 2 killed in Navy chopper crash in Cavite – AFP

Sacrifice to the nation

“The VP expressed her deepest sympathy and condolences to the bereaved families and the Philippine Navy for the loss of the two naval aviators and acknowledged their honorable service and sacrifice to the nation,” the Navy said in a statement on Sunday.

In a video sent by the PN to the media, Duterte was also seen wiping her tears during the viewing.

Based on reports, Borres and Taccad were assigned to the Naval Air Wing Sangley Point Cavite City. Their chopper took off from Sangley Airport early morning of April 11 and crashed around 6 a.m.

After this, the Navy said, “All similar aircraft are temporarily grounded while a thorough investigation rolls out to determine the cause of the crash.”

“Philippine Navy aircraft undergo regular inspection and maintenance to ensure airworthiness. Nevertheless, no stone will be left unturned as we endeavor to prevent this kind of accident from happening again,” it added.