
Plane-chopper crash victim’s wife now in US
THE wife of Colonel Pergentino Malabed Jr., the Philippine National Police official who was among those killed in the mid-air collision of a passenger plane and a U.S. Blackhawk helicopter in Washington’s Potomac River last week is now in the area arranging the return of the latter’s remains to Manila.
Mrs. Rio Malabed was accompanied by Col. Cecille Villoria, the PNP attache in Los Angeles, when she left the country last Saturday for Washington.
They were later met by PNP attache in Washington Col. Moises Villaceran and a sibling of the late 51-year-old official.
The Philippine Embassy in Washington DC, represented by Consul General Donna Rodriguez, is also assisting Malabed’s widow and the PNP in seeking the return of his remains to the country as soon as possible.
Journal Group sources however said it would take at least two months before Malabed’s remains is flown to Manila.
“The PNP is fully committed to assist the Malabed family. Sine he died in the line of duty, he will be getting the appropriate medal and honors plus all the (financial) assistance due to his family,” said PNP spokesperson Brigadier General Jean S. Fajardo.
Col. Malabed, the chief of the Supply Management Division of the PNP Directorate for Logistics, and two other PNP-DL personnel flew to India last January 22 to conduct an inspection of 2,675 bullet-proof vests to be procured by the police force.
Out of the 2,675 vests, Malabed’s team tested six, one of which was left at the Indian company while the remaining five were brought to the U.S. for further testing.
The member of PNP Academy ‘Kabalikat’ Class of 1998 was on his way to pay an exit call to Col. Villaceran prior to his scheduled return trip to Manila on February 2 when their plane crashed.