PNP general in chopper crash dies

MANILA: Major General Jose Maria Ramos, one of the police generals among the passengers of the helicopter that crashed in Laguna last March, has passed away on Tuesday, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Camilo Cascolan confirmed Tuesday.

Cascolan said Ramos, his “mistah” at the Philippine Military Academy’s (PMA) Sinagtala Class, died around 12.07am at Asian Hospital in Muntinlupa City due to low blood pressure. He was 55.

“The PNP is saddened by this news, in behalf of the CPNP Gen. Cascolan, the PNP extends its condolences to the family and PMA Sinagtala Class of 1986,” PNP spokesperson Col. Ysmael Yu said in a message sent to reporters. Ramos, who was critically hurt during a chopper crash in March, was in comatose for months. 

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Major General Mariel Magaway, one of those seriously injured in the accident, was discharged from the hospital in May.

On March 5, a helicopter carrying ranking police officials, including retired PNP chief, General Archie Gamboa, crashed upon takeoff when it hit a high-tension wire due to poor visibility caused by thick dust.

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Gamboa, together with his aide-de-camp Captain Keventh Gayramara and former PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac were the first ones who were released from St. Luke’s Medical Centre in Taguig City. 

Pilots Lt. Colonels Roel Zalatar and Rico Macawili and Senior M/Sgt. Luis Estonia were also among the survivors.