One person was killed and three others were injured when a Philippine Air Force (PAF) chopper crashed off the coast of Getafe, Bohol on Tuesday morning.
The incident happened while the military attack helicopter was conducting a proficiency flight.
Three of the four occupants of the chopper jumped before it crashed in Bohol so they survived.
But the pilot was left behind and died in the incident.
Fishermen were the first to rescue the victims, according to Asterio Suello, head of the Getafe Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, and the injured were immediately taken to Talibon provincial Hospital.
According to Philippine Air Force Spokesperson Lt. Col. Maynard Mariano, the chopper allegedly came from Mactan Island, and they are still investigating the cause of its crash.
“I cannot release exactly what happened but I know there are lot of (information) on social media, but the Air Force will issue an official statement for that,” said Mariano.
The PAF mourned after the accident.
“The men and women of the Philippine Air Force, led by Commanding General Lt. Gen. Allen Paredes, deeply grieves the loss of an aircrew who offered his life in the line of duty,” they said.
“The PAF will provide all necessary assistance and financial aid for the bereaved family.”
Philippine Air Force chopper crashes in Bohol; pilot dead, 3 injured
Meanwhile, the Office of Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go vowed to extend help to the family of Bohol crash victims.
President Rodrigo Duterte also committed to pay for the hospitalization of the three injured Airforce personnel.
In January, seven passengers of the Huey UH-1H helicopter were killed after it crashed into the mountain of Sitio Nahigit, Barangay Bulonay in Impasug-Ong town, Bukidnon.
Philippine Air Force (PAF) admitted that their helicopter that crashed in Bukidnon is old, but insisted that it is well-maintained.
Huey UH-1H helicopters were first used during the Vietnam War from 1967 to the 1970s.
Several units were donated by the United States to the PAF.
But many of the helicopters are no longer in use because there are refurbished UH-1H model units purchased by the government from Singapore during the time of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
There are also those being restored using new spare parts from Japan and returned to service in 2019.
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