Thursday, May 03, 2007 Espinoza: Doubts on kites’ role in crash outrageous By Elias L. Espinoza Free Zone
ISN'T it outrageous that those who have not seen the wreckage of the UH-1H Huey helicopter expressed doubts that the kites’ cord caused the chopper to crash that killed the trainee pilot and eight civilians?
Why doubt when Air Force officials, even with the evidence that kites’ cords got tangled in the swash plate of the chopper, still ordered further investigation.
It seems that the intention of those who expressed doubts was to incense the emotions of the bereaved families of those who died in that unfortunate incident.
Maj. Gen. Pedro Ike Inserto, commander of the Tactical Operations Command (TOC) of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) based in Mactan Air Base, already said their findings are not conclusive yet.
It was for this reason that Lt. Gen. Horacio Tolentino, PAF commanding general, ordered the grounding of all the helicopters while further investigation on the cause of the chopper’s crash is still on going.
The financial and moral support that the air force officials extended to the families of the victims was exceptional. The leadership of Lt. General Tolentino and Maj. General Inserto deserve credit for that.
Pardon me for my ignorance but I just know that a psychologist assisted the families of the victims cope with trauma. It’s my impression that unlike white guys, Pinoys are strong hearted.
Brig. Gen. Arthur Mancenido, the helicopter wing commander, told this corner that they sent out their personnel to assist each family of the victims of the crash.
The crash was an accident. Nobody wanted it to happen. Our only consolation, though, was that the pilots were able to avoid the populated area. Otherwise, it would have been a disaster. Our heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims!
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Unlike the elections of yesteryears, the May 14 polls, particularly for senators, revolve around personalities. Most senatorial candidates rely on the endorsement by popular screen stars instead of putting forward their platforms.
The common endorsers are the actress-wives of these senatorial candidates while the others utilized the children for their expensive TV political ads. It’s a shame.
As a consequence, the endorsements smokescreen the candidate’s political philosophies and principle in life as well as his platform of government. Yes, they have their respective party but most of them do not observe the party principles.
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As the May 14 elections get near, the campaign and rivalry between the local candidates also become intense that it already resulted to killings. The assassins’ bullets have already felled several candidates.
This reminds me when I applied for gun ban exemption before it was implemented. I was told then that Malacañang disallowed the exemption for peaceful elections and candidates who need security would only be provided.
I had the surprise of my life when Malacañang’s boxing hero Manny Pacquiao was quickly issued gun ban exemption for his 25 guns allegedly used by his close in security guards.
Manny Pacquiao, who is running for congress in Gen. Santos city, has practically armed civilian bodyguards (or goons?) now that it has put his opponent, re-electionist Darlene Antonino-Custodio, at a disadvantage. Will the Comelec revoke Pacquiao’s exemption?
