As a result of a collision with a regional American Airlines aircraft and a military aircraft of the U.S. in Washington, D.C., a Filipino police colonel, Pergentino Malabed, was killed, which prompted a reaction from the U.S. ambassador to the Philippines - Ambassador MaryKay Carlson. In her message on social media, she expressed condolences to the family and colleagues of the deceased officer.
The Philippine National Police confirmed on Friday, January 31, that Malabed, who held the position of chief of the police's aviation office, was in the official command post at the time of the aviation disaster. The organization called his departure "a significant loss" for the police, where he was remembered as a honorable, dedicated, and respected employee throughout his career.
So far, U.S. authorities continue to investigate the causes of the crash. Black boxes were recovered from the regional American Airlines aircraft, which had 60 passengers and four crew members on board. The liner collided with the military aircraft of the U.S. "Black Hawk", on board of which were three soldiers, and plunged into the Potomac River during landing at Ronald Reagan Airport in the early evening. Survivors were not found.
