Air Force choppers on medical evacuation make emergency landing in Lanao del Sur

Bad weather forced two Philippine Air Force (PAF) helicopters on a medical evacuation mission to make an emergency landing in the mountainous town of Madalum, Lanao del Sur, on Thursday, November 26.

Captain Clint Antipala, spokesperson of the Public Affairs Office of the Army’s 1st Division, said on Friday, November 27, that the team was evacuating 4 soldiers who were hurt in an improvised explosive device (IED) blast in Madalum town.

One of the soldiers was critically injured in the IED blast and died while being transported.

“Unfortunately, one of the soldiers died. Three of the wounded are now being attended to,” Antipala said.

He said that the fallen soldier could not be identified publicly until the family is informed.

Antipala said that the soldiers – from the 55th Infantry Battalion under the command of 103rd Infantry Brigade based in Marawi City – were running after members of the Dawlah Islamiyah local terrorist group when the blast happened.

Antipala also clarified earlier reports that the choppers crash landed. He said the choppers had to make an emegency landing because of bad weather.

“There was no crashed that happened, the choppers were forced to land due to severe weather condition,” Antipala said.

Each time a PAF chopper goes on a mission, there are always two choppers in a convoy.  – Rappler.com