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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Brawner pays respects to fallen airmen in Benguet crash; posthumous silver wing medals awarded

Brawner pays respects to fallen airmen in Benguet crash; posthumous silver wing medals awarded

Published May 24, 2026 07:32 am

At A Glance

  • Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Romeo S. Brawner Jr. paid respects to two Philippine Air Force (PAF) pilots who died in a military trainer aircraft crash in Tuba, Benguet as the military honored them with posthumous Silver Wing Medals for their service and sacrifice.
Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Romeo S. Brawner Jr. renders a salute as he visits the wake of Philippine Air Force (PAF) pilot First Lieutenant Ruth Angelique R. Pasos, who died in a military trainer aircraft crash in Tuba, Benguet, on May 22, 2026. (PHoto: AFP)
Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Romeo S. Brawner Jr. renders a salute as he visits the wake of Philippine Air Force (PAF) pilot First Lieutenant Ruth Angelique R. Pasos, who died in a military trainer aircraft crash in Tuba, Benguet, on May 22, 2026. (PHoto: AFP)
Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Romeo S. Brawner Jr. paid respects to two Philippine Air Force (PAF) pilots who died in a military trainer aircraft crash in Tuba, Benguet as the military honored them with posthumous Silver Wing Medals for their service and sacrifice.
Brawner visited the wake of First Lieutenant Ruth Angelique R. Pasos and Second Lieutenant Cherky E. Embudo, both assigned to the Air Education and Training Command at Fernando Air Base in Lipa City, Batangas, over the weekend at the PAF Mortuary inside the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.
The two airmen died after a trainer aircraft they were flying crashed in Tuba during a military pilot training flight on May 20.
“General Brawner honored the remains of First Lieutenant Ruth Angelique R Pasos PAF and Second Lieutenant Cherky E Embudo PAF, recognizing their dedication, courage, and faithful service to the nation,” the AFP said in a statement on Saturday, May 23.
The military chief also “conveyed the AFP’s solidarity with the grieving families during this difficult time,” according to the AFP.
The visit came a day after the PAF received the remains of the two pilots at the Base Operations area of Villamor Air Base following their transport aboard a C-295 aircraft from Northern Luzon.
Draped in Philippine flags, the fallen pilots were accorded arrival honors before being transferred to the mortuary where they now lie in state.
Present during the arrival honors were PAF commanding general Lt. Gen. Arthur M. Cordura, senior Air Force officers, enlisted personnel, and relatives of the two pilots.
Following the arrival honors, a blessing for the departed pilots was held, offering prayers for their eternal repose and comfort to their grieving families.
The PAF also announced that Pasos and Embudo were posthumously awarded the Silver Wing Medal “in solemn recognition of their dedication and sacrifice in service to the nation.”
The Silver Wing Medal is awarded to military aviators in recognition of their performance and service in aviation duties. Granting the decoration posthumously underscored the risks faced by Air Force personnel even during training operations.
Earlier, the PAF said it had started an investigation into the crash to determine the cause of the accident.
“The Philippine Air Force stands united in honoring their memory and service, as their courage and dedication to duty will forever remain an inspiration to the Air Force family and the nation,” the PAF said.

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Armed Forces of the Philippines Philippine Air Force Benguet
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