In Kalinga, hero’s welcome for PAF pilot who died in crash
AIRMEN IN CRASH HONORED The remains of Maj. Jude Salang-Oy and 1st Lt. April John Dadulla, the two Philippine Air Force (PAF) pilots who died when their FA- 50 jet fighter crashed in Bukidnon province on March 4, are blessed and given full military honors upon arrival at Villamor Air Base, Pasay City, on Saturday. The PAF said the aircraft crashed while in a tactical night operation, with the wreckage and the pilots’ bodies later found on Mt. Kalatungan. —PHOTO BY NIÑO JESUS ORBETA
TUGUEGARAO CITY—The remains of Maj. Jude Salang-oy, one of the two fallen pilots of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) FA-50 jet fighter, were given a hero’s welcome upon arrival in Kalinga on Wednesday.
Salang-oy’s townmates, relatives, and military comrades paid their final respects during necrological services at the provincial capitol in Tabuk City.
Shortly before noon on Wednesday, a PAF helicopter carrying Salang-oy’s remains landed at the helipad in Calanan, Tabuk City, after being transported from Tuguegarao City Airport.
Another helicopter brought his relatives, who had accompanied the body from Basa Air Base, home of the 5th Fighter Wing, in Floridablanca, Pampanga.
According to his relative Edwin Wayagwag, Salang-oy’s arrival was honored by the PAF Tactical Operations Group 2, the 503rd Infantry Brigade, and the 5th Installation Management Battalion.
READ: AFP in mourning over loss of pilots
Friends, family, and fellow servicemen gathered to welcome Salang-oy’s remains, describing him as a “hero” who made the “ultimate sacrifice in service to his country.”
Emotional tribute
Tears were shed as Salang-oy’s relatives paid tribute to his “bravery and dedication.”
His body lay in state at the Kalinga provincial capitol for necrological services before being brought to his home in Purok 1, Bulanao, Tabuk City.
Salang-oy and his copilot, 1st Lt. April John Dadulla, were conducting tactical night operations for ground support when their FA-50 jet crashed into the Mt. Kalatungan Complex in Bukidnon.
READ: 2 pilots found dead inside FA-50 fighter jet on Bukidnon mountain
The aircraft lost contact on March 4, and their remains were discovered the following day.
Salang-oy was a distinguished member of the Philippine Military Academy “Siklab Diwa” Class of 2014 and had served in the Air Force for over a decade. His copilot, 1st Lt. Dadulla, was a graduate of the Philippine Air Force Officer Candidate Course “Sinaglawin” Class of 2020.
