Who was the young pilot killed in Nueva Ecjia helicopter crash?
The young pilot killed in the unfortunate chopper crash in Nueva Ecija on Saturday, February 1, was no ordinary pilot. Rappler has learned from a family friend that the young victim — only 25 years old — was Captain Julia Flori Po.
The surname Po is well-known in the Philippine aviation industry. Julia was a daughter of businessman Archibald “Archie” Po, owner of the aircraft that police have confirmed to be a chopper of Lionair Incorporated (not to be confused with an Indonesian airline firm with the same name but using two words — Lion Air).
You can read more about this influential businessman from the Newsbreak archives. This story got some traction after reports about the crash circulated. (READ: Who is Archie Po? )
Recall that former president Rodrigo Duterte confirmed in 2016 that he used the airplanes of Mr. Po for his presidential campaign.
“I use the planes of Lionair and you can check it out. Kaibigan ko (My friend). Ang kinocover niya sa akin (What he covers for me) is operational cost,” Duterte told reporters, including Rappler’s Pia Ranada, during an ambush interview in Lingayen, Pangasinan on March 3, 2016. You can read Pia’s story here: Duterte: Archie Po is owner of my campaign planes
“Archie Po has been my friend since our motoring days. He has been my friend for a long time,” added Duterte.
Po and Duterte had gone on motorcycle trips around the country, the then-Davao mayor also said.
It’s no surprise, therefore, that Duterte was among the first to pay his respects to the family. His party, PDP-Laban, posted photos of him at the wake with Mr. Po and his family on Sunday. Also with him were incumbent senators Bato dela Rosa and Bong Go, both of whom are seeking reelection.
Mr. Po also figured in a controversy during the Arroyo administration, involving the sale of some of his choppers to then-first gentleman Mike Arroyo.
According to police, Po’s chopper crashed into a swamp in Purok Arimung-mong, Barangay San Miguel, Guimba, Nueva Ecija on February 1, at around 5 pm. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) spokesperson Eric Apolonio told TeleRadyo Serbisyo on Monday that distress signals were received from the chopper from 7:01 pm to 7:40 pm on Saturday.
Po’s parents and siblings flew to Guimba to bring home her remains. It was not initially clear if Po had brought a politician or politicians to the north for their sorties — she dropped off her passenger in Baguio City past 10 am on Saturday. Police reported that independent candidate Willie Revillame, “a close friend” of the Po family, was among the first to arrive at the funeral parlor to assist the Po family.
Senator Dela Rosa joined the GMA Network senatorial debate which aired on Saturday night in Manila, and his Facebook page posted photos of him in Bansalan, Davao del Sur, also during the weekend.
Whoever it was, he or she must have been someone special since no less than Po’s daughter flew the chopper — on a weekend at that.
On Monday, February 3, Dela Rosa confirmed he was Ms. Po’s passenger during the chopper’s trip to Baguio on Saturday morning.
“Very smooth naman yung flight namin going to Baguio. Napakasmooth at masaya kami. Wala akong naramdaman na anything unusual — very good weather, wala akong nakitang bad weather,” the former national police chief told Senate reporters.
(Our flight to Baguio was very smooth and we were all happy. I didn’t feel anything unual — very good weather, I didn’t see [signs of] bad weather.)
Lionair’s previous website had described itself as the “leading helicopter and executive jets charter service company in the Philippines.” It provides VIP airport transfers, beach tours, island tours, plus ambulance services.
It also said that it was the exclusive distributor and service center of US-made Robinson R44 Raven helicopters, described as an ideal chopper for private and business services. Its previous chartered chopper rates were from P37,000 per hour to P85,000 per hour.
Julia’s wake is at the Heritage Memorial Park in Taguig City from Sunday with the funeral Mass set on Tuesday.
Our condolences to the family. – Rappler.com