PAF honors C-130 crew

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Air Force (PAF) officially honored yesterday its nine flight personnel who went missing and are now presumed dead after their C-130 cargo plane crashed Monday evening in Davao Gulf while en route to Cebu to fetch members of the Presidential Security Group.

PAF spokesman Maj. Gerry Zamudio Jr. said Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Pedrito Cadungog flew to Davao early Saturday morning to fetch the nine empty coffins of those who perished in the crash and to preside over the departure honors provided by Davao-based airmen.

The coffins arrived to full military honors at Villamor Air Base yesterday afternoon followed by a tribute held at the Villamor gym.

Armed Force of the Philippines chief of staff Gen. Alexander Yano and Lt. Gen. Victor Librado, Philippine Army Commanding general, were also present to condole with the PAF.

The C-130 that crashed had just flown in a contingent of Scout Rangers from Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija to augment government forces pursuing lawless Moro Islamic Liberation Front groups in Central Mindanao.

Shortly after delivering the soldiers, the plane had its last and final takeoff.   – With Rudy Santos