The widow of Police Colonel Pergentino “Bong” Malabed, Rio Alanis Malabed, departed for Washington, D.C., USA, on Saturday morning, February 1, 2025, to claim and bring home her husband’s remains.
Col. Malabed, an officer of the Philippine National Police (PNP), was among the passengers of an American Airlines flight that tragically collided mid-air with a U.S. Army helicopter on January 29, 2025. The fatal crash claimed multiple lives, including his.
While traveling, Rio confirmed her flight status to Cabinet Files via Facebook Messenger at 6:01 PM. She shared that she left the Philippines at 10:30 AM on a mission to repatriate her husband’s body. As the closest relative, she was the only one authorized by the U.S. government to identify him.
Col. Malabed left behind his wife and their three-year-old daughter, Talna.
A heartbreaking video of their final moments together resurfaced online, showing the emotional farewell between Malabed and his daughter at Ninoy Aquino International Airport on January 22, 2025. The police officer was departing for India to procure protective vests for PNP personnel before heading to the U.S.
In the video, young Talna cried uncontrollably, refusing to let go of her father. Malabed reassured her, saying, “Bye-bye, I love you. I’ll see you soon. I’ll see you soon, baby,” as he kissed her repeatedly, struggling to leave.
Rio also bid him farewell, saying, “See you next month.”
She later posted the video on Facebook, explaining, “Wawab has a 12-day business trip to India and the US kaya hinatid namin siya sa airport. Talna’s crying because this time, we can’t come with Dada because it’s work-related.”
In her message to her late husband, she wrote: “See you next month, Dada! Enjoy the weather hahahaha. Bilhan mo na lang daw si bibi ng makeup nya. Lablab. [heart emoji]”
Now, days after that final goodbye, Rio faces the painful reality of returning home with her husband’s remains instead of welcoming him back alive.
