CAAP sacks officer behind Robredo’s ill-fated flight

MANILA, Philippines – The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) said on Thursday, September 25, that it has sacked the airworthiness inspector responsible for clearing the ill-fated flight of the late Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo in 2012.

CAAP director general William Hotchkiss III has ordered the immediate dismissal of Fernando Valdez Abalos after the Office of the Ombudmsan found him guilty of grave misconduct, serious dishonesty, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

The resolution was signed by Overall Deputy Ombudsman Melchor Arthur Carandang.

Abalos was the CAAP airworthiness inspector who issued the certificate of airworthiness for the Piper Seneca plane bearing Robredo and his aide, police senior inspector June Abradazo, that sank off the coast of Masbate on August 18, 2012.

The crash killed Robredo, pilot Jessup Bahinting, and student pilot Kshitiz Chand. 

The Ombudsman said that Abalos, along with Nelson Napata and Federico Omolon III of plane owner Aviatour’s Fly’n Inc, falsified a document that made it appear that the aircraft had gone through a safety test

“Napata and Omolon should be indicted as Abalos’ co-conspirators. They signed the report despite knowing that the facts indicated therein were absolutely false,” the resolution said.

Another case is being lodged against the 3 as the Ombudsman found probable cause to charge them for violating Article 171 (2) of the Revised Penal Code, or falsification of public documents. The case will be filed at the Regional Trial Court of Pasay City, Hotchkiss said.

Abalos was placed under a 90-day preventive suspension by CAAP in November 2012. – Mick Basa/Rappler.com