US mourns loss of Filipino who died in Washington air collision

The United States on Saturday said it mourns the loss of the Filipino police official who was among the victims of the tragic air collision in Washington, DC that left 67 people dead.

MaryKay Carlson, US Ambassador to the Philippines, posted the message on X (formerly Twitter), commiserating with the victim's family and his colleagues in the Philippine National Police (PNP).

"We mourn the loss of Police Col Pergentino Malabed, who died in the recent Washington, DC plane crash. His service and commitment to upholding peace and security will never be forgotten," Carlson said.

Malabed, who was chief of the PNP Supply Management Division, was on official travel for a pre-delivery inspection of all-purpose vests when the tragedy struck.

He took five of the vests and flew to the United States for further testing on January 27. The police official then had an exit call with the police attache in Washington DC. He later reportedly opted to visit his brother in South Carolina via Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

"Our hearts go out to his family and (PNP) colleagues at this time of great loss," Carlson said.

We mourn the loss of Police Col Pergentino Malabed, who died in the recent Washington, DC plane crash. His service and commitment to upholding peace and security will never be forgotten. Our hearts go out to his family and @pnppio colleagues at this time of great loss. ????

— Ambassador MaryKay L. Carlson (@USAmbPH) February 1, 2025

On Friday evening, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) issued a statement saying it "mourns the loss" of Malabed.

"We express our sincere sympathy and solidarity with the family of all those who died in this terrible tragedy," the DFA said.

The PNP has said that Malabed was able to fulfill his duty as a dedicated police officer "committed to the service of protecting and securing both the PNP and the nation." His death was described as a "profound loss to the PNP."

American authorities are not yet clear why the ill-fated American Airlines Bombardier jet collided with the Army Black Hawk helicopter at a Washington airport.

The jet crashed into the Potomac River as it prepared to land at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

The mishap has been dubbed as one of the deadliest US air disasters in over 20 years. — VDV, GMA Integrated News