The remains of Police Colonel Pergentino Malabed Jr., the cop who was among the 64 fatalities in a mid-air collision of a military chopper and a passenger plane in the United States last month, have finally arrived in the country on Friday, Feb. 21.

Malabed’s remains were received by his family, friends, and select Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) early in the morning, according to PNP spokesperson Col. Randulf Tuano.

He was given foyer honors, a farewell ceremony given to a law enforcement officer who died while in the line of duty.

“Sa ngalan ng buong hanay ng Pambansang Pulisya ng Pilipinas, ipinaabot namin ang taos-pusong pakikiramay at pagpupugay sa kanyang naiwang pamilya. Nawa’y magsibling inspirasyon sa atin ang kanyang hindi matatawarang paglilingkod dito sa ating bayan (On behalf of the Philippine National Police, we extend our sincere condolences and appreciation to his bereaved family. Let his exceptional service to the country be an inspiration to us),” Tuano said.

Around 11 a.m., Malabed was given arrival honors at PNP National Headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City. 

There, he was bestowed the “Medalya ng Katapatan sa Paglilingkod” (PNP Distinguished Service Medal) and “Medalya ng Katangi-tanging Gawa” (PNP Outstanding Achievement Medal) for his “sacrifice, dedication, and love for the service and the nation.”

His remains will lie in state at the PNP Mortuary in Camp Crame until Feb. 24.

A necrological service will be held in honor of his life and service to the nation before his remains are brought to his hometown in Santa Rosa, Laguna.

Malabed will be taken to his final resting place at the Memorial Gardens in Santa Rosa City on Feb. 27.

PNP chief, Police General Rommel Francisco Marbil said Malabed was a “role model” in the police organization.

“His sacrifice will never be forgotten and will serve as inspiration to all of us,” he said.

He also assured that the PNP would extend all the necessary assistance to the family of Malabed, including the entitled benefits.

As Malabed was part of the Public Safety Mutual Benefit Fund Inc. (PSMBFI), the PNP said that his family would receive accident benefits worth P2,698,140.84.

It can be recalled that 64 people died, among them was Malabed, when a PSA Airline jet of the American Airlines collided in midair with a Sikorsky Black Hawk helicopter of the US military while approaching the Reagan Washington National Airport in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 29.

Malabed, the chief of the Supply Management Division of the PNP’s Directorate for Logistics, traveled to America on an official duty for the pre-delivery inspection of 2,675 all-purpose vests that will be procured by the PNP.

After flying to India for the first part of the inspection, he went to the US on Jan. 27 to continue the inspection of the vests. Two days after, he was supposed to make an exit call on PNP Police Attaché in Washington D.C., Police Col. Moises Villaceran, when the crash occurred.