Malabed's remains to be repatriated to PH next week

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - The remains of Philippine National Police Director for Logistics, Colonel Pergentino “Bong” Malabed, who was among the 64 passengers killed in the collision between an American Airlines jet and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter in Washington, D.C. last month, will be brought back to the Philippines next week.

His widow, Rio Malabed, will be returning to the United States, bringing with her the personal belongings and uniform of Colonel Malabed, which will be used for his final return to the Philippines.

In a Facebook post, she announced that the viewing of Colonel Malabed’s remains will take place at the Philippine National Police Mortuary in Camp Crame from February 21 to February 23.

His remains are scheduled to be transferred to Manila Memorial Park, Manila South Road, Barangay Dita, Santa Rosa City, Laguna, on February 24.

The cremation is scheduled for February 25, while the interment will be held on February 27 at 4:00 p.m.

In a message from Washington, D.C. Consul General Donna Rodriguez, she stated that the Malabed family has requested privacy, and therefore, no additional information will be released out of respect for their wishes.

"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.” 

Meanwhile, the United States National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the possibility that the Black Hawk helicopter’s altimeter was faulty and that it failed to hear the advisory from Reagan National Airport’s control tower just seconds before colliding with American Airlines Flight 5342. —RF, GMA Integrated News