Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. visited the wake of naval aviators Lt. Jan Kyle Borres and Ens. Izzah Taccad at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City on April 12.
Brawner’s call came a day after the helicopter crash in Cavite City that killed Borres and Taccad.
The AFP chief extended sympathies to the families of the fallen pilots and assured them of the military’s full support for the grieving families.
Emphasizing the paramount importance of safety, the Philippine Navy reaffirmed its dedication to strict aircraft inspections and maintenance protocols to ensure airworthiness of the planes.
The Navy also vowed to conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Vice President Sara Duterte also paid her respects to Borres and Taccad on Apr. 13.
Duterte expressed her deepest sympathy and condolences to the bereaved families and to the Philippine Navy for the loss of the two naval aviators. She acknowledged their dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice to the nation.
The chopper piloted by Borres and Taccad took off from the Sangley Point on a training flight when it went down near a public market in Cavite City at about 6 a.m. on Apr. 12.
“We still do not have the exact reason by they intended to land. That will be part of the thorough investigation,” said Navy spokesman Cmdr. John Percie Alcos.