The Philippine Air Force (PAF) has rendered military honors to four of its personnel who perished in the tragic helicopter crash in Cauayan City, Isabela.
(PH Air Force / MANILA BULLETIN)
In a statement Sunday, Lieutenant Colonel Aristedes Galang, PAF spokesperson, said the remains of Major Christopher Cesar Urbano, the pilot in command; Captain Fiorelio Bernardo, co-pilot; First Lieutenant Mike Tuesday Tabigne, officer on board; and Staff Sergeant John Christopher Taguiam, aircrew, arrived at the Clark Air Base in Pampanga on Thursday.
Lieutenant General Allen Paredes, PAF commanding general, led the arrival honors and gave his final salute to the fallen airmen.
Paredes also extended condolences to the bereaved families of the crew who were present during the military activity.
On Saturday, departure honors were rendered to the remains of the fatalities that were transported to their respective provinces.
"In honor of their service to the country, the PAF assures that the bereaved families will
receive necessary assistance," Galang said.
Major General Edgard Arevalo, spokesperson of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), said investigation is on-going to determine the cause of the accident.
He has yet to provide updates on the PAF's probe when asked by this reporter.
Meanwhile, the lone survivor in the crash, Airman First Class Gerry Aviles Jr., is still being observed at the Isabela United Doctors Medical Center as of this writing.
The incident happened Thursday just as the five PAF personnel were undergoing training for night flying.
The chopper crashed minutes after takeoff and burst into flames upon hitting the ramp of the Tactical Operations Group (TOG-2) area at the Cauayan Air Station.