NEWSFLASH

FREE PAL TICKETS FOR PASSENGERS OF HIJACKED FLIGHT

Makati City, June 7, 2000 - Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) Is awarding each of the 277 passengers of Flight PR 812 -- the Davao-Manila flight that figured in a bizarre hijacking last month -- a complimentary ticket to any point in its domestic network.

PAL said it would also facilitate psychotherapy assistance to any passenger wishing to avail himself of the service.

The recent gesture is part of the flag carrier's continuing effort to help the passengers get over their traumatic experience, which could have resulted in a fatal accident had it not been for the presence of mind of the flight cabin and deck crew.

"We sympathize with what our passengers went through. This is the least we can do for them," said Henry So Uy, PAL executive vice president for the commercial group.

Uy said PAL's gift will hopefully "speed up the healing process and help close a painful episode in their lives."

Last May 25, a hijacker parachuted over Antipolo City in Rizal after divesting the passengers of the Davao-Manila flight of their money. The body of Reginald Trance Chua was found in the forest in Real town in Quezon province the following day. He hijacked the plane after sneaking in a pistol, a grenade, and a parachute.

Recently, the airline's board of directors and senior management also commended the 13-man crew of Flight PR 812 for bravery and exemplary assistance to passengers in the face of extreme danger during the attempted hijack.

PAL chairman Lucio Tan personally awarded each of the crew a plaque of appreciation as well as a monetary reward.

The flag carrier's offering to the passengers covers a gratuity ticket on their next roundtrip travel to any PAL domestic destination, and is applicable on the highest class of service available on that flight.

Passengers will be formally informed of the offer by mail.

For those willing to avail themselves of expert psychotherapy services, PAL will arrange their consultation with the relevant office of the Department of Health, with which the flag carrier has a formal arrangement.