FORMER Philippine National Police Comptroller Major General Jose Ma. Victor DF Ramos yesterday passed away, seven months after he lapsed into a coma following a helicopter crash in Sta. Rosa City Laguna which injured six other officers led by then PNP chief, now retired Gen. Archie Francisco F. Gamboa.
Ramos, a bemedaled former Constabulary-turned police official known for his endearing smile, is the youngest member of Philippine Military Academy ‘Sinagtala’ Class of 1986 whose members include Gamboa and current PNP chief Gen. Camilo Pancratius P. Cascolan.
Ramos was set to mark his 56th birthday this coming November 25 while General Cascolan’s birthday is on November 10.
“On behalf of the Philippine Military Academy ‘Sinagtala’ Class of 1986, it is with a heavy heart that I join the officers and personnel of the Philippine National Police in prayer and mourning over the passing of Police Major General Jose Ma. Victor DF Ramos at 12:07AM today after a long hard battle due to serious injuries he sustained during that fateful helicopter accident in San Pedro, Laguna on March 5, 2020,” said Gen. Cascolan.
The PNP chief said that Ramoses’ remains were cremated before memorial services.
“He will be accorded full honors befitting a police general,” Gen. Cascolan said.
Yu said that Ramos was declared officially dead 12:07 yesterday. He was scheduled for immediate cremation with his remains to be initially placed at Eternal Gardens in Sta. Rosa City.
Ramos had been in critical condition since the March 5 incident after suffering the worst injuries out of the seven people on board the ill-fated police chopper.
Doctors successfully rescued the official two days later and he continued fighting for his life until yesterday.
Apart from Gen. Gamboa, the other officials who survived the helicopter crash were then PNP Director for Intelligence Maj. Gen. Mariel M. Magaway, then PNP spokesman Brigadier Gen. Bernard M. Banac, chopper pilot Lieutenant Colonel Ruel Zalatar, co-pilot, Lt. Col. Rico Macawil and crewman, Senior Master Sergeant Louie Estona.
Maj. Gen. Magaway, also a member of PMA Class 1986 suffered serious injuries as a result of the crash but managed to recover and was released from the hospital last May.
The others led by Gen. Gamboa were cleared by doctors to go home days after confinement in the hospital.
