MANILA – A party-list lawmaker on Wednesday said there is nothing irregular about Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos using a police helicopter to pick him up from the Balesin Island Club in Polillo, Quezon.
Duterte Youth Party-List Rep. Marie Cardema, the vice-chair of the House National Defense and Security Committee, said Carlos' usage of the PNP chopper is part of his privileges as the country's top cop.
“General Dionardo Carlos is the PNP Chief 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. He was stranded in Balesin Island and wanted to report for duty in Camp Crame on a Monday morning. Under the rules & regulations of the PNP, he is entitled to the use of the PNP helicopter. Nothing irregular about it," Cardema said.
The chopper was supposed to pick Carlos up from the exclusive resort island of Balesin on Monday morning.
The helicopter took off at 6:17 a.m. in Pasay City and was initially reported missing but was later discovered to have crashed in Real, Quezon two hours later.
The crash resulted in the death of enlisted crew member Pat. Allen Noel Ona and injury to Lt. Col. Dexter Vitug and Lt. Col. Michael Melloria, both pilots.
“Accidents always happen, we in Congress convey our deepest sympathies to the policeman who died in the crash and wishing the pilot officers a fast recovery," Cardema said.
DILG Secretary Eduardo Año earlier said there is no need for Carlos to go on leave amid the investigation on the chopper crash.
“He (Carlos) is still the chief PNP and it’s rightful for him to use the PNP chopper to be able to attend a forthcoming official duty when there are no other available means," Año said.
He also cleared Carlos of any liability and said the investigation will "focus on the cause of the accident" with the assistance of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).
The PNP National Headquarters has grounded the entire fleet of H-125 Airbus police helicopters while an investigation is underway in coordination with CAAP, the Department of Transportation, and other concerned agencies. (PNA)
