Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. on Wednesday urged the immediate upgrading of the country’s search and rescue (SAR) capabilities following the tragic crash of a Philippine Air Force (PAF) helicopter that claimed the lives of six airmen in Agusan del Sur.

“Nonetheless, also lesson na dapat talaga yung upgrading ng ating SAR assets, talagang dapat ifast track (Nonetheless, the lesson should also touch the upgrading of our SAR assets to be fast-tracked),” Teodoro told reporters in a chance interview at the Camp Aguinaldo, as he lamented the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)’s lack of sufficient capability assets to perform its duty better. 

“Well, I think the solution is obvious, with that we lack the capability, and that's why we are appealing to all the policymakers to support us with our upgrades, and it's not only the capability but also the infrastructure of communications,” he said. 

Call for modernization

AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., who also spoke during the opening of this year’s AFP DAGIT-PA Exercise in Camp Aguinaldo on Tuesday, echoed Teodoro’s call, stressing the need to sustain the military’s modernization program

“We lack ships. We lack aircraft. We lack sensors. We lack firing capabilities. Marami tayong kulang (We lack a lot),” Brawner said. “That is why our Armed Forces modernization program is very vital in order for us to prepare for any eventuality in the future.”

Amid a lack of SAR assets, Teodoro said the government, through the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), is now working to deepen its disaster assessment capabilities to lessen dependence on PAF assets.

“Kasi ngayon, heavily nagre-rely pa rin sa Philippine Air Force assets. So ganoon yung preventions na ating gagawin (We’re still heavily relying on PAF assets, so that’s what we’re trying to address),” he added.

The defense chief said the use of drones is being explored, but stressed their limitations.

“A drone cannot carry people. When actual site inspections or person-to-person engagements are needed, drones can’t do that,” Teodoro said.

He added that incorporating other platforms could help minimize both risk and cost in operations, though drones are still limited by weather conditions.

“‘Pag kailangan natin ng actual inspections ng sites o actual people-to-people engagements, hindi kaya ng drones. Kaya nga ipinag-utos ko sa OCD na i-incorporate nila (When we need actual inspections of sites or real people-to-people engagements, drones can’t handle that. That’s why I ordered the OCD to incorporate them),”  he added. 

“And probably we can even use different kinds of platforms‘Yun lamang, aalamin namin sino sa OCD, gaano kalawak ito, para magamit imbes na helicopter ang gamitin (And probably we can even use different kinds of platforms. That’s all; we’ll find out who in the OCD is responsible, how extensive this is, so it can be used instead of a helicopter),” he said. 

Six airmen killed in a crash

The renewed calls for asset upgrades came after a PAF Super Huey helicopter crashed in Loreto, Agusan del Sur, on Tuesday, 4 November, while on a humanitarian and disaster response mission in the aftermath of Typhoon “Tino.”

In a separate press briefing at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City. 

PAF spokesperson Col. Maria Christina Basco confirmed that six personnel, all members of the elite 505th Search and Rescue Group, were killed in the incident. 

The group was en route to assess typhoon damage as part of a Rapid Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis (RDANA) mission.

The fallen airmen included the pilot-in-command, co-pilot, crew chief, two helicopter mechanics, and a jump master, all described as well-trained and highly skilled. 

Their remains were recovered by Army troops near the 60th Infantry Battalion’s area of responsibility.

Basco said the Super Huey, one of four aircraft dispatched from Davao City for the RDANA mission, lost communication at 11:37 a.m. and was found 20 minutes later in a mountainous, heavily vegetated area. Photos from the scene showed the wreckage engulfed in flames.

Basco said the aircraft took off while observing wind limitations. Unfortunately, the mishap still occurred.

The PAF investigators are looking into possible mechanical issues and weather conditions as contributing factors.

The aircraft, refurbished in 2011, was described as “reliable and well-maintained,” but as a precaution, the remaining two Huey helicopters in the PAF fleet have been grounded pending investigation.

Support for fallen heroes

The AFP expressed deep sorrow over the loss, calling the airmen “brave heroes who gave their lives in the line of duty.”

“Our sincerest condolences to the families of our fallen heroes. We share in your grief and extend our unwavering support during this most difficult time,” the AFP said in a statement.

Basco assured that full assistance, including financial, psychological, and spiritual, would be provided to the families, and that the fallen airmen would be accorded military honors.

Despite the tragedy, she said, the PAF remains committed to its humanitarian and disaster response mission. 

“While this incident is deeply distressing, the Philippine Air Force remains steadfast in fulfilling its mandate of defending the nation’s airspace and providing timely assistance: so that others may live.”

The Department of National Defense also extended its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families of the PAF personnel. 

“Their dedication to duty and sacrifice will always be remembered, especially as these were made in the service of our fellow Filipinos facing the effects of Typhoon Tino,” DND said in a statement. 

“We pray for their eternal peace and shall extend all available support to their families at this difficult time.”

U.S. aid after Typhoon Tiño

Meanwhile, U.S. Ambassador MaryKay Carlson expressed condolences to those affected by Typhoon Tino and the PAF crash, saying the United States stands ready to assist in ongoing relief efforts.

“My heart goes out to everyone affected by Typhoon Tino’s devastation. We extend our condolences to the friends and families of those who perished and salute the brave first responders on the scene,” Carlson said on X (formerly Twitter).

At least 66 people have been confirmed dead, most due to flash floods in Cebu, which was still reeling from a deadly earthquake in late September.