PAF helicopter makes emergency landing near Zamboanga del Sur school

A Philippine Air Force Blackhawk helicopter conducted an emergency landing near a school in Zamboanga del Sur where an opening for the Boy and Girl Scouts was being held.

According to the 1st Infantry Division of the Philippine Army, the Sikorsy S-70i was headed to Cotabato City from Zamboanga del Sur when unfavorable weather conditions forced the aircraft to land at the Tukuran Central Elementary School, according to a report on GMA’s 24 Oras Weekend on Sunday.

No casualties were reported, and all the passengers safely alighted the helicopter. Further details were not reported.

Amateur footage showed students and teachers inside the school running away when the descending Blackhawk flew close to the school’s buildings. Its rotors can be seen blowing away several tree branches. 

Authorities have issued an apology to the school’s students and the faculty members for the disturbance that the emergency landing may have caused. —Jon Viktor Cabuenas/RF, GMA Integrated News