At least seven Philippine military personnel have died when their helicopter crashed
MRC. Manila (Philippines), 11/06/2017.- A military troop reacts during a ceremony to mark Independence Day at Luneta Park in Manila, Philippines, 12 June 2017. Filipinos held events nationwide to mark the Philippines' 119th Independence Day, in remembrance of the country's declaration of freedom from Spanish rule in 1898. (Filipinas) EFE/EPA/MARK R. CRISTINO
At least seven Philippine soldiers have died this Saturday when the helicopter in which they were flying over the south of the country crashed due to a presumed technical failure, as confirmed by the Army in a statement.
The plane, a Huey UH-1H, has crashed delivering supplies from headquarters to an Army patrol base in the city of Impasug-ong, in Bukidnon province, 826 kilometers south of Manila.
“The helicopter was flying over the mountainous part of Impasug-ong when it encountered problems with the engine”, explained Major Rodulfo Cordero Junior, military spokesman, in the note collected by the ABS-CBN chain.
“The helicopter tried to make an emergency landing, but it crashed. There were no survivors. The Huey [UH-1H] has been a complete disaster,” he added.
The remains of the victims were recovered during a search and rescue operation carried out by members of the Armed Forces of the Philippine National Police, including a colonel, pilot of the aircraft, who managed to avoid some surrounding houses during the descent, before the helicopter crash.