CAAP to investigate fatal helicopter crash in Guimba, Nueva Ecija

Guimba, Nueva Ecija — The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) will investigate the crash landing of a helicopter in a creek in this town on Saturday afternoon.

CAAP reported that the Philippine Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Center (PARCC) received multiple emergency alerts regarding the incident. The Aircraft Accident Investigation and Inquiry Board (AAIIB) has dispatched lead investigator (Ret.) Col. Rhomel Ronda to the crash site to determine the cause of the incident.

According to Guimba Police Chief Lt. Col. George Calaud Jr., rescuers retrieved an unresponsive woman from the helicopter wreckage. She was wearing sports attire, including a sports bra and jogging pants.

The victim was identified as 25-year-old Julia Flori Monzon Po, a resident of C-305 Marina Bay Homes, Asia World, Parañaque City. She was the lone occupant of the helicopter at the time of the crash.

At around 7 PM, a salvage operation was conducted to lift the helicopter from the creek, which had chest-deep water.

Po, reportedly a pilot for artist and host Willie Revillame, was flying the helicopter from Baguio City en route to Metro Manila when the accident occurred. Police officers and rescue teams immediately responded to the scene to pull the victim from the wreckage.

Reports from social media indicate that Revillame personally visited HM Mina Funeral Services in Pacac, Guimba, around 9 PM to check on the remains of the pilot. Her remains were scheduled to be transferred to Heritage Park in Parañaque later that evening.