The Philippine National Police (PNP) disclosed on Friday that an active Police Colonel was among the casualties in a mid-air crash between a passenger plane and a U.S. Army helicopter near Reagan Washington National Airport.
In a press briefing at Camp Crame, PNP Public Information Office Chief PCol. Randulf Tuaño confirmed that the deceased officer, Police Col. Pergentino Malabed Jr., Chief of the PNP Supply Management Division, was on official travel when the air collision occurred.
Nagluluksa ang Philippine National Police (PNP) sa pagkasawi ni PCol Pergentino Malabed, Chief ng Supply Management Division, na kasamang sakay ng American Airlines nang sumalpok ito sa isang Black Hawk helicopter sa Washington, DC. | RH 52 @ednielparrosa, DZRH News
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) January 31, 2025
Malabed was among the passengers on the American Airlines flight that collided with the Black Hawk helicopter.
Tuaño mentioned that Malabed was accompanied by a Police Non-Commissioned Officer (PNCO) and a Non-Uniformed Personnel (NUP). They had been granted foreign travel authority to go to India for the inspection of 2,675 armored vests to be purchased by the PNP.
Moreover, after his stay in Kansas, Malabed was scheduled to proceed to Washington for a courtesy meeting with a police attaché.
American Eagle Flight 5342, en route from Wichita, Kansas (ICT) to Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA), was reportedly about to land when the collision occurred.
In the meantime, the PNP is providing support to Malabed’s family and has extended its condolences.
On Thursday, authorities said that they are still investigating the cause of the deadly air disaster that killed 67 people.
