AFP chopper makes emergency landing in Rizal, 5 injured

MANILA, Philippines – (UPDATE) Five members of the Philippine Air Force were hurt after the chopper they were on-board made an emergency landing in a vacant lot in Taytay, Rizal, Wednesday morning.

The chopper’s pilot, Lieutenant Colonel Robert Bitas, and his co-pilot Lieutenant Paul Yuco, and passengers identified as Airman 2nd Class Elias Alinday Jr., Staff Sergeant Ruel Realin, and Sergeant Edmund Cubillan, sustained minor injuries, while the chopper was slightly damaged, Senior Superintendent Manuel Prieto Rizal police director, said in his initial report.

Prieto said the helicopter with body number 22662 made an “emergency landing” at 10:10 a.m. on a vacant lot in Daan Putol, Barangay (village) San Isidro, Taytay town in Rizal.

Investigation continues as to what could have caused the emergency landing.With a report from Nina Catherine Calleja