Arroyo husband, son regular passengers of chopper sold to PNP—pilot

MANILA, Philippines – Former First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo and son, Congressman Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo, were tagged by a police official as regular passengers of a private helicopter, which was later sold to the Philippine National Police as brand new in 2009.

Testifying at the Senate blue ribbon committee, Police Superintendent Claudio Gaspar Jr. said he had flown one of the helicopters, which was allegedly owned by the Arroyos before it was sold to the PNP as brand new.

“Have you flown one of these helicopters?” asked Senator Panfilo Lacson, who exposed the controversy.

“Yes sir,” Gaspar said.

“Sino ang pinakamalimit na pasahero [Who are the frequent passengers]?” asked Lacson to which Gaspar answered, “Mga members ng first family. Sila Congressman Mikey, sila FG [The members of the First Family. Congressman Mikey and FG].”

But the congressman, Gaspar said, was his regular passenger and that he usually flew him to Pampanga.

Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada then questioned Gaspar why he was flying a private helicopter and whether he had a hint that the helicopter belonged to the Arroyos.

Responding to Estrada’s query, Gaspar said he had an order to fly the helicopter from the Presidential Security Guard and the Office of the President. He denied, however, any knowledge that the helicopter was owned by the Arroyos.

“Hindi po. Wala po, your honor [No Sir. None, your Honor],” he said.

“E halatang halata naman. Sila sila lang ang gumagamit ng helicopter, hindi mo pa rin alam hanggang ngayon [Wasn’t it obvious that they were the only ones using the helicopter and you still didn’t know]?” asked Estrada.

“Hindi ko pa rin alam your honor. Ang alam ko po yung Lion Air [I still didn’t know your Honor. What I know is Lion Air],” Gaspar answered.

Senator Teofisto Guingona III then showed during the hearing a copy of the Lion Air log book, which showed that Gaspar flew 1372 helicopter in September 2004, the same helicopter sold to the PNP as brand new in 2009.

Gaspar and Police Superintendent Larry Balmaceda, who both assisted the inspection team of the PNP, confirmed that the helicopters sold to the PNP were second hand.