Duterte assures families of soldiers killed in Sulu plane crash of assistance
MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday assured the families of those who died in a military plane crash in Sulu that they will receive assistance from the government.
At least 49 military personnel and three civilians were killed after a C-130 Hercules cargo plane missed the runway and crashed in Patikul, Sulu. At least 51 persons were also injured from the incident.
The president visited Zamboanga City to honor some of the soldiers who died during the plane crash.
Duterte assured soldiers that he would provide more benefits to their families, including free education for their children. He reiterated the government's plan to sell or lease part of Fort Bonifacio to raise funds for soldiers' benefits.
"Before I step down, I want to allocate a huge amount to the armed forces. That's how I can repay the soldiers, especially those who died. Their families will be protected, their families will be comfortable, and the daily living and education of the children will be assured," he added.
"I commiserate with you. I am as sorrowful as you. As commander-in-chief, I am the most hurt," the president told military troops at the Naval Forces for Western Mindanao.
Duterte posthumously conferred the Order of Lapu Lapu, rank of Kalasag to the fatalities of the incident. The award is given to government workers and private individuals who lost their lives and properties because of their participation in an activity pursuant to a campaign or advocacy of the president.
"When I heard the news, as usual, I go into the process of sorrow. More than anybody else...the life of a soldier is always valuable... They died for our country and for that, I am very grateful for those who died and those who suffered," he said.
"The most important thing is for those who died, they shall not have died in vain. They died for our country. It behooves upon us to continue the help."
Follow this thread for updates on search and rescue operations and other updates on the Philippine Air Force C-130 that crashed near Jolo, Sulu on July 4, 2021.
Photo: In this handout photo taken on July 4, 2021 and received from the Philippine military Joint Task Force-Sulu (JTF-Sulu), smoke billows from the wreckage of a Philippine Airforce C-130 transport plane after it crashed near the airport in Jolo town, Sulu province on the southern island of Mindanao.
The widow of Sulu plane crash fatality Cpl. Reynel Matundin is ranting over what is for her slow process in identifying the remains of her husband.
Annie Matundin, a resident of Kabacan town in North Cotabato, tells Catholic Station dxND here Friday that it was only yesterday that police forensic experts sent to Manila the DNA samples collected from her husband’s parents and the victim’s dental records for evaluation.
“It’s almost two weeks now since that plane crash happened. We don’t know what’s next. We are so anxious and sometimes we in the family get so depressed,” she says.
— The STAR/John Unson
The Armed Forces of the Philippines names 19 of the 49 military personnel who died in the C-130 plane crash in Patikul, Sulu last Sunday.
Philippine Air Force
- Major Emmanuel Makalintal
- Major Michael Vincent Benolerao
- First Lieutenant Joseph Hintay
- Technical Sergeant Mark Anthony Agana
- Technical Sergeant Donald Badoy
- Staff Sergeant Jan Neil Macapaz
- Staff Sergeant Michael Bulalaque
- Sergeant Jack Navarro
AFP Medical Corps
- Captain Higello Emeterio
AFP Nurse Corps
- First Lieutenant Sheena Alexandria Tato
Philippine Army
- Sergeant Butch Maestro
- Private First Class Christopher Rollon
- Private First Class Felixzalday Provido
- Private Raymar Carmona
- Private Vic Monera
- Private Mark Nash Lumanta
- Private Jomar Gabas
- Private Marcelino Alquisar
- Private Mel Mark Angana
As of 6 p.m. Monday, the number of fatalities from the Sulu plane crash has risen to 52.
The military says among the fatalities, 49 were military personnel while three were civilians.
The military also raised the number of injured to 51, 47 of which are military personnel while four are civilians.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros condoles with the families of those killed in the C-130 crash in Sulu, saying "their sacrifice and bravery to secure our freedom will never be forgotten."
She also calls for a thorough investigation to ensure "the protection of our brave men and women in uniform in their future deployments."
"Considering this is the second plane crash in two weeks, is a disservice to our armed services if we leave them vulnerable in battle."
The number of fatalities in Sunday's Air Force plane crash in Sulu climbs to 50, Philippine military officials confirm.
Forty-seven military personnel and three civilians were among those who were killed when a C-130 cargo plane crashed in Patikul, Sulu.
Meanwhile, 49 soldiers and four civilians are injured and undergoing treatment.
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