PNP Director Col. Pergentino Malabed Jr.’s Remains to Arrive in Manila Following Fatal Crash
Col. Pergentino Malabed Jr. of the PNP was killed in a midair collision involving American Eagle Flight 5342 and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter on January 29, 2025. His body will return to Manila this week for funeral services and cremation. The PNP plans to posthumously award him, while an investigation into the crash is ongoing.
The remains of Philippine National Police (PNP) Director for Logistics, Col. Pergentino Malabed Jr., are set to arrive in Manila this week following his tragic death in a midair collision. This incident occurred on January 29, 2025, when American Eagle Flight 5342 from Wichita, Kansas collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter over Washington D.C., resulting in a total of 67 fatalities.
Col. Malabed’s widow, Rio Malabed, announced plans to return to the U.S. to retrieve her husband’s personal belongings and uniform for his repatriation. Funeral services will be held at the PNP Mortuary in Camp Crame from February 21-23. Afterward, his remains will be interred at Manila Memorial Park in Laguna, with cremation set for February 25 and inurnment on February 27.
Consul General Donna Rodriguez conveyed the family’s request for privacy regarding the incident, emphasizing respect for their grieving process. “The last time I spoke with the family of Col. Malabed, they asked for privacy, and so, to respect their wishes, I don’t think I would be able to give out that information,” Rodriguez stated.
Posthumously, the PNP plans to honor Col. Malabed as he was on official duty during the crash. Furthermore, a full honors ceremony is scheduled upon his remains’ return. An ongoing investigation by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is examining the potential malfunction of the Black Hawk helicopter’s altimeter, which may have contributed to the accident.
The NTSB is currently exploring the helicopter’s failure to respond to alerts from Reagan National Airport’s control tower just before the midair collision. As both agencies continue investigating the particulars of this tragic event, the community mourns the loss of Col. Malabed alongside the other victims.
In summary, Col. Pergentino Malabed Jr.’s remains will arrive in Manila this week after his death in a midair crash involving an American Eagle flight and a Black Hawk helicopter. The family has requested privacy, and the PNP plans to honor him with a posthumous award and full honors. An investigation into the incident continues as authorities seek to determine the contributing factors to the tragic crash.
Original Source: manilastandard.net
