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Malabed's widow arrives in Washington to identify body after crash
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The widow of the late Police Colonel Pergentino “Bong” Malabed Jr. arrived in Washington D.C. on Saturday night (Sunday morning, PH time) to identify his body after the recent air collision between a passenger jet and Black Hawk helicopter.
An emotional Rio Malabed was met at Reagan National Airport past 8 p.m. Washington time by Police Attaché Police Colonel Moises Villaceran Jr. and Consul General Donna Rodriguez.
The Philippine Consulate in Washington extended its condolences and assured the bereaved family of its full assistance. Representatives from American Airlines also assisted Rio upon her arrival.
Rio expressed her heartfelt gratitude to everyone offering prayers and support during this difficult time.
From the airport, she was taken to a hotel to rest before undergoing an official briefing with Washington authorities.
Repatriation
However, the timeline for the repatriation of Malabed’s remains to the Philippines has not yet been determined.
"We cannot repatriate him immediately. His wife has just arrived, and she needs to formally identify the body," Villaceran said.
"Official identification is required before we can proceed with the transport process. Several clearances—health, flight, and state permits—are needed, and we are unsure when authorities will release the remains. A medical examiner must conduct an evaluation before any release can take place, so it may take several days," he explained.
Last memo before tragedy
Malabed, the Philippine National Police Supply Management Division chief, was among the 64 people on board an American Airlines passenger jet when it collided with a US Army Black Hawk helicopter on Wednesday night.
Both aircraft fell into the frigid Potomac River near Reagan Washington National Airport. The accident claimed the lives of all those on board the passenger jet — 60 passengers and four crew. The three soldiers on board the chopper also died. Forty-two bodies have been retrieved so far, the Washington, D.C. fire department said Saturday, according to a Reuters report.
Before his tragic passing, Malabed had sent a memorandum to Villaceran requesting for a courtesy call, unaware that it would be his final message.
Villaceran, who was his upperclassman at the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA), was shocked upon learning of his passing.
"He sent a memo saying he would be traveling from the Philippines to India, then Kansas, and finally Washington before heading home. I was stunned—I couldn’t sleep when I found out. It’s heartbreaking," he said.
Villaceran described Malabed as a hardworking officer, dedicated to his role in the PNP’s Directorate for Logistics.
"He was one of the best in his class—hardworking and highly skilled. He had risen through the ranks, proving himself to be an exceptional officer. It’s a tragic loss," he said.
PNP Public Information Office acting chief Police Colonel Randulf Tuano said Friday that Malabed was on official travel for a pre-delivery inspection of 2,675 units of all-purpose vests.
Tuaño said that on January 22, Malabed, together with a non-commissioned officer and a non-uniformed personnel, flew from the Philippines to India for the pre-delivery inspection of the vests.
Malabed took five of the vests and flew to the United States to subject the items for further testing on January 27.
Based on the unofficial report of the Office of the Police Attaché in Washington D.C., Malabed was originally scheduled to return to the Philippines on February 2 but he decided to travel to South Carolina via Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to visit his brother.
Malabed was identified through a passport found in his body.
Consul General Rodriguez said the Consulate would closely monitor all documentation requirements to expedite the repatriation of Malabed’s remains so his family could give him a proper farewell in the Philippines.
Memorial honors victims
Meanwhile, a makeshift memorial has been set up near the site of the said plane crash.
A man placed 67 flowers at the site, symbolizing each life lost in the tragedy. Crosses have also been erected in memory of the victims.
Nearby, a search and recovery command post remains active as teams continue looking for missing passengers. —KG, GMA Integrated News
