Helicopter crash in Cavite injures five, truck accident in Cotabato kills seven

AGENCY: Five individuals, including two pilots, were injured when a Philippine Navy helicopter crashed on Thursday at Sangley Point Airport in Cavite province, south of Manila, according to a naval spokesperson.

Commander John Percie Alcos confirmed that the AgustaWestland AW 109 helicopter had just taken off for a functional check flight following a maintenance inspection when the crash occurred. The two pilots and three crew members on board sustained minor injuries, including cuts, bruises, and a minor fracture.

“Although all personnel sustained only minor injuries, they were alert and were safely transported to a military hospital for medical evaluation,” Alcos said.

An investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the incident.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Civil Aviation Authority announced that all landing and take-off operations at the airport have been temporarily suspended due to the disabled military aircraft on the runway.

In a separate incident in Cotabato province, southern Philippines, a truck lost control and collided with pedestrians, cars, and a house, resulting in at least seven deaths and six injuries, police reported.

Police Chief Master Sergeant Richie Desulga explained that the accident occurred on a highway in Makilala town in the morning when the truck, loaded with sacks of fertilizer, veered off course. Social media videos showed victims trapped under the fertilizer sacks.

The six injured were rushed to a local hospital for treatment.