The Philippine National Police (PNP) has confirmed that one of its senior officers was among those who died in the catastrophic midair collision in Washington, D.C., on January 30. The incident involved a passenger aircraft and a military helicopter over the Potomac River.
Police Colonel Pergentino Malabed Jr., chief of the PNP Supply Management Division, was aboard American Eagle Flight 5342 when it collided with a U.S. Army helicopter near Reagan Washington National Airport. The PNP officially confirmed his passing on January 31.
The crash resulted in 67 fatalities, making it the deadliest air disaster in the United States in more than two decades, according to U.S. media reports.
“His untimely passing is a profound loss to the PNP, where he served with honor, integrity, and dedication throughout his career,” the PNP stated. The institution expressed its condolences to Malabed’s family and assured them of its full support.
The PNP also noted that Malabed was on official travel at the time of the incident.
Malabed had been in the United States for a pre-delivery inspection of 2,675 all-purpose vests.
According to PNP Public Information Office acting chief Police Colonel Randulf Tuano, Malabed departed from the Philippines on January 22, accompanied by a non-commissioned officer and a non-uniformed personnel, for an inspection in India.
He proceeded to the United States on January 27, carrying five vests for further evaluation. His itinerary included a visit to Kansas for an exit call with Police Attache in Washington, D.C., Police Colonel Moises Villaceran.
“rom India, he traveled to Kansas and Washington to make a courtesy call or exit call to Colonel Moises Villaceran. (From India, papunta po siya ng Kansas, ng Washington para mag-courtesy call o exit call kay Colonel Moises Villaceran),” Tuano stated.
An unofficial report from the Office of the Police Attache in Washington, D.C., indicated that Malabed was originally scheduled to return to the Philippines on February 2. However, he opted to visit his brother in South Carolina before his scheduled return. It was during this trip that he boarded the ill-fated flight.
Malabed was identified through his passport, which was recovered at the crash site. His wife is set to travel to the United States to personally verify his remains.
The cause of the collision remains under investigation. Transport officials stated that both aircraft were following standard flight patterns, and weather conditions at the time were clear with good visibility.
