
PNP’S LOSS
A PHILIPPINE National Police colonel on an official mission to the United States was among the passengers of a jet that crashed in Washington’s Potomac River, Journal Group sources said yesterday.
The Filipino fatality was identified as Col. Pergentino N. Malabed Jr., currently the chief of the Supply Management Division of the PNP Directorate for Logistics.
The 51-year-old crash victim was a product of the PNP Academy ‘Kabalikat’ Class of 1998 who was sent by his office to conduct an inspection of some PNP equipment they were about to procure.
Classmates of the official also confirmed that they have learned about the unfortunate event.
“We hope that his body will be immediately recovered from the icy Potomac River so we can help arrange the return of his remains to the country,” said one member of the class.
In a press briefing, PNP Public Information Office chief Col. Randulf T. Tuaño said they were shocked by the news of Malabed’s death.
“The Philippine National Police mourns the tragic loss of Police Colonel Pergentino N. Malabed, Chief of the Supply Management Division, who was among those on board the American Airlines flight that collided midair with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter near Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C., and crashed into the Potomac River on Wednesday night,” he said.
According to Col. Tuaño, the victim “was on official travel at the time of the incident, fulfilling his duty as a dedicated police officer—committed to the service of protecting and securing both the PNP and the nation.”
“His untimely passing is a profound loss to the PNP, where he served with honor, integrity, and dedication throughout his career. We extend our deepest condolences to his bereaved family, loved ones, and colleagues,” he said.
“The PNP is committed to providing them with all necessary support during this difficult time. As we grieve this tragic event, we also honor the dedication and sacrifice of PCOL Malabed. His contributions to the PNP and the nation will never be forgotten. May he rest in peace,” the official added.
Col. Tuaño said Malabed, one police non-commissioned officer and a non-uniformed personnel flew to India last January 22 to conduct an inspection of 2,675 bullet-proof vests to be procured by the police force.
He said 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 team left Kansas, USA last January 27 although Col. Malabed went to Washington, DC to pay an exit call to Col. Moises Villaceran, the PNP attache in Washington prior to his scheduled return trip to Manila on February 2.
Col. Tuaño said the Washington police identified Malabed as among the initial 30 crash fatalities based on documents including passports recovered at the site.
He said they are still checking if Malabed’s passport was recovered in his body.
However, the official said Malabed’s e-ticket has been found and his name was indeed included in the flight manifest.
The late official’s wife Rio is set to fly to Washington to formally identify his remains as required by the Washington police.
Col. Tuaño said PNP chief General Rommel Francisco D. Marbil has ordered all necessary support to the Malabed family as they try to bring his remains back home.
Malabed used to be a director of the Philippine Public Safety College’s Institute Training Group and deputy director of the National Police Training Institute tasked to promote and develop training programs for police training directors and faculty and police instructors.
He was also a former officer of the PNP Program Management Office, now known as the Center for Police Strategy Management which plays a pivotal role in overseeing the effective implementation of key PNP policies, plans and programs.
Col. Malabed was a key official in a number of major PNP procurement programs aimed at further improving the 232,000-strong police force’s ‘move, shoot, communicate and investigate’ capabilities.’
The American Airlines Bombardier jet which was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members collided with an Army Black Hawk helicopter and crashed into the Potomac River Wednesday night.
The tragic incident came as the jet was preparing to land at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.