MANILA - A Philippine Air Force (PAF) pilot was killed along with his two crewmen while another one was injured when their combat utility helicopter crashed in Tanay, Rizal Wednesday.

First Lieutenant Xy-zon Meneses, 2nd Infantry Division (2ID) Public Affairs Office chief, said the mishap happened 3 p.m., May 4, at Sitio Hilltop, Barangay Sampaloc, Tanay, Rizal.

Meneses declined to identify the casualties pending the notification of their loved ones and families.

Initial reports indicated that the helicopter had just finished conducting air-to-ground and disaster rescue operations training with troops stationed in 2ID headquarters in Camp Capinpin along with some 12 police operatives when it encountered some mechanical trouble, forcing it to crash-land.

Investigations are still ongoing to determine exact cause of the mishap. (PNA)