Manila  - Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Thursday led a tearful farewell to four close aides who died in a helicopter crash in a northern mountain range.

Four other people were killed in the crash on Tuesday in the mountains of Tinoc town in Ifugao province, 270 kilometres south of Manila.

"We mourn the death of our dear friends and colleagues, who died while serving their country," a teary-eyed Arroyo said televised statement. "I will miss them so much in my official family."

"We share the grief of their families and friends," she added.

Arroyo burst into tears during a mass for the victims at the Loakan airport in nearby Baguio City, where she had been staying for Catholic Holy Week.

The killed aides were Press Undersecretary Jose Capadocia, Appointments Secretary Malou Frostrom, senior military aide Brigadier General Carlo Clet and presidential management staff director Perlita Bandayonan.

An aide of Clet, two air force pilots and another crew member were also killed in the crash.

Arroyo's aides were on their way to Banaue town in Ifugao as an advance team for a scheduled visit by the president on Wednesday. The trip was cancelled. (dpa)