The Philippine National Police chief General Dionardo Carlos said that the chopper that crashed in Real, Quezon, was to fetch him from his “private time” in Balesin Island.
This was after his private transport became unavailable due to unforeseen circumstances.
“The following day, Sunday afternoon I traveled to Balesin island for private time and scheduled to return Monday morning via private transport,” Carlos said.
“However, I was informed that due to unforeseen circumstances, said private transport would only be available in the evening of Monday,” he added.
“This prompted me to request for an admin flight to transfer/move me back to Camp Crame Monday morning so I can perform my duties. The flight directive was allowed and issued following PNP rules and regulations,” he said.
PNP chief Carlos said he never wanted “harm to my personnel nor losses to the organization.”
“Rest assured that a thorough investigation is being undertaken,” he said.
Meanwhile, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año said Carlos is “rightful” to use the PNP’s chopper for private transactions.
Año added the PNP helicopter is also used to ensure the safety of the PNP chief.
“Yes he’s the CPNP. And as the CPNP attending to official functions, it is just rightful for him to use the PNP chopper,” Año said.
Chopper that crashed in Quezon to fetch PNP chief from Balesin’ private time’
On Monday, one policeman was killed, and two others were injured when a Philippine National Police (PNP) helicopter crashed in Real, Quezon.
Police Brigadier General Roderick Augustus Alba identified the deceased as Police Patrolman Allen Noel Ona.
Meanwhile, the injured Police Lieutenant Colonels Michael Melloria and Dexter Vitug were taken to the hospital, according to the Real Municipal Police Station.
According to preliminary information, police personnel was aboard the PNP Airbus H125 helicopter RP-9710, leaving Manila Domestic Airport around 6:17 a.m. for an administrative mission.
The helicopter was reported missing hours after it took off.
At around 8:15 a.m., the Real MPS received information from the PNP Air Unit about a helicopter that crashed in Purok Mayaog, Barangay Pandan.
Real police, along with the Bureau of Fire Protection and Municipal Action Center (MAC), immediately went to the area.
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