Bodies of pilot, mechanic recovered from crash site

MANILA, Philippines – Rescue teams have recovered the remains of a helicopter pilot and his mechanic from the crash site in Bulacan near its boundary with Quezon yesterday.

The remains of captain Miguel Logronio and engineer Jay Gregorio were recovered by members of the Army’s 48th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Kabayunan, Doña Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and the Philippine Air Force (PAF) said the victims’ bodies were brought to Villamor Airbase at around 11 a.m.

The victims were on a light helicopter of the Macroasia Air Taxi Service, which was reported missing on Aug. 22.

The crash site was located on Saturday afternoon.

The two were on their way to pick up and rescue stranded engineers and miners at the Sumag River diversion tunnel in General Nakar, Quezon province when they crashed.

Bad weather had hampered efforts to locate the crash site and rescue the victims.

A PAF rescue team tried but failed to reach the area on Monday due to strong winds.