PNP official among US air collision deaths

Metro Manila, Philippines - A Philippine National Police (PNP) official was among the victims of the midair collision between an American Airlines aircraft and a US military helicopter in Washington, D.C., the organization said on Friday, Jan. 31.

In a statement, the PNP said PCol Pergentino Malabed was among those killed in the crash at the US capital. Malabed, chief of the PNP supply management division, was on an official trip.

"PCol Malabed was on official travel at the time of the incident, fulfilling his duty as a dedicated police officer - committed to the service of protecting and securing both the PNP and the nation," the PNP said in a statement.

"His untimely passing is a profound loss to the PNP, where he served with honor, integrity, and dedication throughout his career," it added.

In a press conference, PNP Public Information Office chief PLtCol Randulf Tuaño said the family has been informed about the news and Malabed’s wife will fly to the United States.

"Inaayos na po nila ang pagbili ng ticket papunta po ng US at aasikasuhin po siya pagdating ng ating mga police attache," Tuaño said.

[Translation: The family is arranging the ticket purchase and the wife will be assisted by our police attaché upon arrival in the US.]

Tuaño said the Washington police have informed the PNP about Malabed's death based on official documents and his recovered passport.

US authorities said on Thursday, Jan. 30, it was still unclear how a regional jet and an army helicopter collided midair. The crash killed 67 people in what was considered the deadliest air disaster in the US in more than two decades, according to Reuters.

Investigators have recovered the flight recorder from the aircraft, an American Airlines Bombardier jet with 60 passengers and four crew members. The aircraft collided with an army Black Hawk helicopter as it prepared to land at Ronald Reagan Airport Wednesday night. Both crashed into the Potomac River. There were no survivors.