Gamboa hopes to be discharged from hospital Friday

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año (standing) visits PNP chief Gen. Archie Gamboa at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Taguig City after the latter figured in a helicopter crash in San Pedro, Laguna on Thursday, March 5, 2020. (Photo from Sec. Eduardo Año)

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Archie Gamboa is hoping to be released from the hospital on Friday, March 6, according to a police official.

“Baka today [ang release] [He might be released today]. He told me he’ll get back to work on Monday. He intends to be released today awaiting final clearance from the attending physician,” Maj. Gen. Benigno Durana Jr., acting spokesperson of the PNP and chief of the Directorate for Police Community Relations, said in a text message to INQUIRER.net.

He said Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac, PNP spokesperson, “intends to be released tomorrow upon the approval of his doctor.”

Gamboa suffered from a minor injury in his right arm while Banac suffered from minor abrasions on his face following the crash of the Bell 429 chopper that carried them and five others, including two other generals, in San Pedro, Laguna on Thursday morning. Both are admitted at the St. Luke’s Medical Center in Taguig City.

Aside from Gamboa and Banac, other passengers of the chopper were Maj. Gen. Mariel Magaway, PNP Director for Intelligence; Maj. Gen. Jose Maria Ramos, Director for Comptrollership; pilot Lt. Col. Ruel Zalatar; co-pilot Lt. Col. Rico Macawili; Senior Master Sergeant Louie Estona, helicopter crew; and Capt. Keventh Gayramara, Gamboa’s aide.

All individuals in the helicopter are safe and sustained minor injuries, except Magaway and Ramos who remain unconscious and in critical condition as of posting time.

Edited by JPV