Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa confirmed on Monday that he was the last passenger of the helicopter that crashed in San Miguel, Guimba, Nueva Ecija, on Saturday.

The crash resulted in the death of the pilot, a female whose identity has not been disclosed.

In an interview with reporters, Dela Rosa explained that the pilot had dropped him and two security aides off in Baguio City before heading back alone. He had been in Baguio for an engagement and later traveled by land to Binmaley, Pangasinan, to attend the founding anniversary of the town.

Dela Rosa emphasized that he did not notice any engine problems and that the weather conditions were clear.

The senator also revealed that he personally knew the pilot, whose father was a "very close friend" of both Dela Rosa and former President Rodrigo Duterte.

On Sunday night, Dela Rosa, together with Senator Bong Go and Duterte, visited the pilot's wake. He expressed deep sorrow over the tragic accident, noting how the loss deeply affected the family.

"It really breaks my heart kasi na-imagine ko kagabi nandoon ako sa wake niyakap yakap ko yung father atsaka mother ng piloto 25 yrs old very young, imagine ko rin kung how would I feel kapag yung anak ko rin na piloto na babae rin ay ganun ang mangyari sa anak ko di ko maimagine napakahirap, mahirap tanggapin," Dela Rosa said.

The crash occurred in Sitio Arimung-mong, where the helicopter was found in a rice field.

PLt. Col. George Calauad Jr., station commander of the Guimba Police Station, said the barangay captain alerted authorities about the downed aircraft. Residents helped recover the pilot's body from the wreckage of the helicopter, which had the tail number RP-C3424.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) has confirmed that an investigation into the crash is ongoing.