2 missing pilots in Zambo chopper crash found dead

Two Navy helicopter pilots who were reported missing after their aircraft crashed off Zamboanga last Tuesday were found dead Thursday morning. Rear Admiral Alexander Pama, outgoing commander of Naval Forces Western Mindanao, said the bodies were found some distance from the chopper's wreck. "Yan ang aming ikinalulungkot ngayon ... Naabisuhan na ang pamilya nila (It is a cause of sorrow for us. Their families have been notified)," Pama said in an interview on dzBB radio. He said search teams found the remains of Lt. Tristan Joseph Corpus two miles from the island where the helicopter crashed, at about 6:55 a.m. Thursday. The teams found the remains of Lt. Gerald Tamayo at 7:20 a.m., near the site of the crash.

"Sa kasamaang palad ito ay sumakabilang buhay na (Unfortunately, they were both dead)," Pama said. He said the remains of both pilots will be brought to Manila and accorded due honors. For his part, Lt. Col. Edgard Arevalo, Navy spokesman, said: "The Navy mourns [the] great loss of two distinguished naval aviators who have participated in many combat missions and search and rescue operations until this air mishap." The two pilots were reported missing after a Philippine Navy helicopter crashed Tuesday morning in Zamboanga City. Its three passengers were rescued. — LBG/RSJ, GMANews.TV