The brand new Philippine Air Force Sokol Helicopter crashed in Marawi City on Thursday, August 7, 20134, injuring one of its crew and a bystander civilian who was hit by debris during the crash. The ill-fated helicopter was carrying an Army general and provides escort to Cabinet Officials who visited Mindanao.
In an official statement released by Army division spokesman Capt. Franco Suelto, the Filipino pilot managed to maneuver the helicopter and saved a total of 11 passengers, including the Chief of the 4th Army Division, Maj. Gen. Ricardo Visaya; 4th Infantry Division Inspector-General Col. Alexander Macario, five staff members of Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and four of its crew members, including the two pilots.
One of the injured during the Sokol helicopter crash was identified as Staff Sergeant Darius Valdez, crew of Sokol 921, the civilian who was injured was identified by military officials as Santiago Savedra, a bystander.
According to the Philippine Army’s report, the helicopter crashed at 2:23 PM (PST), shortly after takeoff from the 103rd Infantry Brigade headquarters in Marawi City.
The crashed Sokol helicopter was a backup for another Sokol helicopter carrying top Cabinet officials that include Sec. Mar Roxa, DND Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, and Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla, the chopper was en route to Cagayan de Oro City, and landed safefly at the Laguindingan Airport.
The Philippine Armed Forces Chief General Gregorio Catapang has ordered Air Force Chief Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Delgado to determine the cause of the accident. The ill-fated Sokol helicopter is one of the eight brand new chopper brought by the National government that arrived last 2012.
The eight Sokol Helicopters was acquired by the Philippine Air Force for a total of P2.857 Billion from Augusta PZL-Swidnik Co. of Poland, one of the biggest military hardware suppliers in Europe.
