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PMA batch 2010 topnotcher among 6 killed in Tarlac chopper crash

Philippines | National

PMA batch 2010 topnotcher among 6 killed in Tarlac chopper crash

By Martin Sadongdong

The topnotcher of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) "Masidlak" Class of 2010 was among the six Philippine Air Force (PAF) personnel who died in a tragic helicopter crash in Capas, Tarlac on June 23.

The six Philippine Air Force personnel who died in a tragic helicopter crash in Capas, Tarlac on June 23, 2021. (Photo courtesy of Armed Forces of the Philippines Civil Relations Service)

In a statement Friday night, June 25, the Armed Forces of the Philippines' Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) identified Maj. Eraño Belen as one of the six PAF personnel who died when an S70i Blackhawk chopper crashed during a night proficiency flight training last Wednesday.

Belen, one of the two co-pilots of the crashed helicopter, was a son of a tricycle driver and the topnotcher of the 226-strong PMA Masidlak Class of 2010.

Also killed in the air mishap were Lt. Col. Rexzon Pasco, pilot in command; Major Jayrold Constantino, co-pilot; and crew members Master Sergeant Ronnie Reducto, Technical Sgt. Maricar Laygo, and Sgt. Leonardo Tandingan.

Maj. Gen. Edgard Arevalo, spokesperson of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), said an investigating team was dispatched to investigate the cause of the accident considering that the pilots were veterans and the aircraft was brand new.

"They are already deployed there to determine what really happened. These are seasoned pilots because our helicopters are state of the art," he said.

According to the PAF, retrieval operation was ongoing at the crash site.

The Blackhawk went down in Sitio Binyayan, Brgy. O’Donnell in Capas, Tarlac last Wednesday.

According to initial investigation, the crew lost contact with PAF after taking off from Ravina Air Base en route to Clark Air Base in Pampanga.

Related Tags

tarlac chopper crash Philippine Air Force

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