ROXAS, PARTY LAND SAFELY IN PAMPANGA RICEFIELD

A five-seater helicopter bearing Liberal President Senator Mar Roxas this morning landed safely in a rice field in Barangay Arenas in Arayat, Pampanga after an hour of zero visibility and struggle to avoid clouds and Mt. Arayat.

The senator left the Manila Domestic Airport at 8 a.m. aboard the five-seater chopper. His chopper was expected to land at Hacienda Luisita at around 8:40 a.m. but thick clouds due to bad weather obstructed the pilot's view of the landing area. At about 9:30 a.m., the pilot found an opening in the thick clouds and landed his helicopter safely in a rice field in Barangay Arenas near Mt. Arayat.

A good Samaritan local resident, Dennis Sula, helped the senator travel to Tarlac City, where he was scheduled to address graduates of the Tarlac State University (TSU) as Guest of Honor and Speaker during their commencement exercises. He arrived more than 2-hours late for the 9 a.m. graduation rites.

"Ayaw kong ma-disappoint ang mga estudyante ng Tarlac State University kaya ginawan namin ng paraan na makarating ako sa inyong graduation. Nagpapasalamat ako sa mga Good Samaritans na tumulong sa akin na makarating dito," Roxas told students in his speech.

Praising the good Samaritan who assisted him and his party upon their safe landing, Roxas said: "Talagang ang mga Pilipino ay may magagandang loob at laging handang tumulong sa mga nangangailangan."

"It reinforces my faith in the Filipino," he added.