03/03/2026
Helicopter Incident in Pililla Prompts Multi-Agency Emergency Response
PILILLA, Rizal – March 3, 2026
A private helicopter carrying five passengers crash-landed in a vacant residential area in Sitio Upper Barak, Barangay Quisao, Pililla, Rizal, early Tuesday morning, prompting a coordinated emergency response from local disaster teams across the province.
According to initial reports from the Tanay Emergency Operations Center (EOC), duty personnel led by Mr. Edzel Rianne A. Enquillado received a call at approximately 8:24 a.m. from the Rizal Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) regarding the alleged aircraft incident.
Responding without delay, the Tanay Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) dispatched two ambulances and one vehicle extrication unit to the crash site. Upon arrival, responders coordinated with the Pililla MDRRMO to assess the situation and carry out necessary rescue operations.
The aircraft, bearing tail number RP-C3138 based on visible body markings, was found to have made what authorities described as an emergency landing in a vacant residential lot. Notably, no nearby houses were damaged and no residents were reported injured — a circumstance officials described as “fortunate” given the potential scale of harm.
Rescue teams confirmed that five individuals were on board at the time of the incident. At least one passenger required extrication from the wreckage and was immediately turned over to the Tanay MDRRMO Quick Response Team (QRT) and Emergency Medical Service unit led by Mr. Ronillo B. Hadap.
The injured passenger was later identified as Mr. Pushuan How, a Malaysian national. He was conscious when rescued but complained of severe back pain and difficulty breathing — symptoms that emergency responders treated as potentially serious given the mechanism of injury common in aviation accidents.
By 12:55 p.m., the patient had been safely transported and formally endorsed to Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan, Metro Manila, for definitive medical care.
Authorities have yet to release further details regarding the condition of the other passengers or the cause of the crash. Aviation authorities are expected to conduct a formal investigation to determine the circumstances that led to the emergency landing.
The incident underscores the critical role of inter-agency coordination during emergencies. Throughout the operation, constant communication was maintained between the Rizal PDRRMO, Pililla MDRRMO, and Tanay MDRRMO — a response framework that disaster officials say continues to strengthen across Rizal province.
While aviation-related incidents in the area remain relatively rare, Tuesday’s crash-landing serves as a reminder of both the unpredictability of air travel and the importance of preparedness on the ground.
Further updates are expected pending official investigation findings.
