PNP coordinating with CAAP on probing chopper mishap

March 5, 2020

The Philippine National Police (PNP) will coordinate with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) in their investigation following a helicopter crash in San Pedro, Laguna Thursday morning.

“Now, they (special investigation task group “Bell 429”) conducted initial meeting on how they will go about on this investigation and definitely it’s not only the PNP who will conduct the investigation,” said Police Major General Benigno Durana, the acting PNP spokespersn, in an interview with reporters in Taguig City.

“They will tap the support and expertise by other agency, particularly the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines so that all angles can be looked at,” he added.

Durana said the PNP will not leave any stone unturned not only for them to have conclusive findings on what happened but other insights on how to prevent this kind of incident.

A helicopter carrying PNP chief Police General Archie Francisco Gamboa , three generals and four others crashed after they allegedly hit a high tension wire while leaving the Highway Patrol Group’s (HPG) new impounding area at the Laperal compound in San Pedro.

Durana also said he cannot say if the incident is a “human” or “mechanical” error.

“That will be determined by the SITG ( special investigative task force) that is now conducting investigation… we cannot say for now otherwise we will be irresponsible,” he said.

He appealed to the public to not make any conclusions on the incident based only on the videos being shared on social media.

“Spreading videos where the victims can be seen suffering will not be of help to their families because it will cause a lot of worries and trouble for them. Let us help them instead,” Durana said.

“We appeal to the public to not spread speculations. We asked for their prayers for the quick recovery of the victims,” he added. Ella Dionisio/DMS