President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed his condolences to the families of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) pilots who died in a flight training mishap in Batangas last week.
The Chief Executive visited the wake of Captain Raymart Cabangcala, one of the said deceased pilots, at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City last Monday.
Executive Secretary Ralph G. Recto attended the wake of the three other pilots-Major David Joshua Rojo, Captain Ma. Melvin Acebuque, and First Lieutenant Angeleo Adrian Peñaflor-in behalf of the President at the Fernando Air Base in Lipa City, Batangas.
Recto assured the loved ones of the said pilots that the government will provide them with the necessary support as they continue to grieve their losses.
‘To their families, we want you to know that you are not alone in your love and grief for them. The entire nation mourns with you. Their courage, dedication, and love for our country will remain part of their memory and legacy,’ he said in Filipino.
Last week, PAF reported the said pilots died when the two SF-260 aircrafts they were on were involved in an ‘aviation accident’ while on a training flight on 23 October 2026 in Lipa City, Batangas.
PAF temporarily grounded its fleet of SF-260 aircrafts, which it used for training and light attack, while it investigated the cause of the accident.