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2 PAF pilots killed in Bukidnon crash honored at Villamor Air Base
2 PAF pilots killed in Bukidnon crash honored at Villamor Air Base
The Philippine Air Force (PAF) paid tribute to two fighter pilots who died during an aviation accident in Bukidnon as their remains arrived at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City on Saturday, March 8.
The remains of Major Jude S. Salang-Oy and First Lieutenant April John B. Dadulla, of 5th Fighter Wing, were flown by the PAF from Cagayan de Oro City via a C-130 transport plane that arrived at Villamor Air Base around 3 p.m.
Their caskets draped with Philippine flag were welcomed by Department of National Defense (DND) Sec. Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief, General Romeo Brawner Jr. Also present were PAF commanding general Lt. Gen. Arthur Cordura, the families and relatives of the fallen pilots, and other ranking defense and military officials.
President Marcos Jr., who was supposed to lead the arrival ceremony, wasn’t able to attend “due to an urgent matter.” He was represented by Special Assistant to the President, Secretary Anton Lagdameo.
The two pilots were given full military honors and bestowed the Distinguished Aviation Cross, the highest honors for the Air Force, for their “distinguished heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight.”
Salang-oy and Dadulla died when the FA-50 jet fighter they were piloting during tactical night operations crashed on Mt. Kalatungan in Brgy. Mirayun, Talakag, Bukidnon on March 4.
Investigation
The investigation team of the PAF has begun trekking Mt. Kalatungan to collect pieces of information that would determine what caused the crash.
"They have arrived at Mt. Kalatungan. They will check on the pieces of the aircraft, point of impact, and the wreckage area," PAF spokesperson Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo said.
Tight security is being implemented at the crash site to preserve the scene of the incident.
"We don’t want to compromise the area just like any site of the incident. There could be parts that might be moved which is very critical in the investigation. We have a very tight security for this area," she said.
Also part of the concern is to avoid New People's Army rebels from accessing the scene to retrieve any armament from the wreckage of the aircraft.
"That’s part of our concern because we don't know if there are personalities with that intention. Whenever we are on a mission, all the armaments that you need to carry, you have to bring," the PAF official noted.