Chopper no clearance to land at Ultra — PSC

The Philippine Sports Commission has expressed dismay over the failure of Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Lloyd Dino to properly coordinate with the agency that resulted in the unauthorized landing of a helicopter Thursday last week at the Philippine Sports Arena.

PSC Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez, in a report of Pilipino Star Ngayon, said that “it was inappropriate as it endangered the lives of athletes, coaches and parents who were attending an event in the complex.”

Philsports Arena (Ultra) administrator Queennie Evangelista reported to Ramirez that Dino’s office did not coordinate with her. She said that they were caught by surprise with the unscheduled landing.

The landing was not in accordance with protocol because according to Ramirez any person or government official must coordinate with the PSC or the venue managers of its facilities any plan to land in its complexes.

The helicopter carrying Dino landed right at the center of the track oval not on emergency but to pick up some companions.

Dino's team was on their way to Batangas City for the launching of Malasakit Center. A video of the alleged unauthorized landing went viral on the internet.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo defended Dino, saying it was not his fault but of the pilot's.

"That's the fault of the pilot, not the passenger," Panelo earlier told reporters in Malacañang.

The incident is already being looked into by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines.