By Keith Bacongco and Aaron Recuenco
DAVAO CITY – A Philippine Air Force (PAF) helicopter on a re-supply mission crashed in the mountainous village of Sitio Nahigit, Barangay Bulonay in Imapsug-ong, Bukidnon, around 2 p.m., Saturday, killing all six military personnel onboard.
Police Sr. Master Sgt. Teddy Jones Saliot of Impasug-ong Police Station told The Manila Bulletin over the phone that they received a radio call that a helicopter went down in Barangay Bulonay.
Quoting initial reports, the police said the helicopter was seen going on a nose dive, hitting the ground at a high-rate of speed.
The helicopter was totally wrecked, according to the officer.
The two pilots, two crew members and three Army passengers were reportedly killed, including a lieutenant colonel, who was the pilot in-command.
The others who died were a second lieutenant, the co-pilot; a PAF staff sergeant and a an Airman First Class, the crew members; and an Army sergeant, a militiaman and another personnel from the Eighth Infantry Battalion.
The names of those who perished in the crash were not immediately available.
Saliot said Impasug-ong Police Chief Capt. Richlie Murallon was already at the crash site, assisting the military in retrieval operations.
He added that the UH-1H helicopter was on a resupply mission for the Army's 403rd Brigade when it went down.
"As of now, that's our initial information because our colleagues have not yet sent us an update since there's no mobile phone signal in the crash site. " Saliot said.
The police officer said Barangay Bulonay was located at least three hours from the town proper of Impasug-ong, but it could be reached from Malaybalay City.