Senators seek probe into Sulu plane crash; death toll rises to 52
MANILA, Philippines — Senators on Monday called for a thorough probe into the crash of a Philippine Air Force plane in Patikul, Sulu, an incident over the weekend that has left scores dead.
The military said the number of fatalities from the crash has climbed to 52 by evening of July 6, or 49 personnel and three civilians.
Some 96 were aboard the C-130 Hercules transport plane when it crashed and bursted into flames after missing the runway while trying to land. The incident came after a series of recorded plane crashes from the PAF since 2020.
Members of the upper chamber have since sent their condolences to families of those killed, and urged government to ensure they would receive benefits without delay.
"Considering this is the second plane crash in two weeks, is a disservice to our armed services if we leave them vulnerable in battle," said Sen. Risa Hontiveros in a statement. "Grief this expansive calls for clarity and commitment."
Sen. Francis Pangilinan called it "a devastating incident" for Filipino soldiers, and said measures should be taken to avert another kind of incident.
AFP spokesperson Major Gen. Edgard Arevalo has sought to dismiss claims that the C-130 was defective.
Over dZMM, he said the plane, a second-hand from the United States and delivered to the Philippines in January 2021, was in "very good situation."
"It's in tip-top shape and the pilots are all rated, seasoned, and experienced in flying this kind of aircraft," Arevalo added.
Sen. Ronald dela Rosa said he would wait for results of the military's investigation. But he pointed the blame on the country's "antiquated" military aircraft."
"Perhaps, it is about time that we, in the legislature, take a second hard look at the reality that lives lost from these so called 'flying coffins' or 'widow makers' are priceless compared to the foreign debt that we may incur as a result of military modernization," he said in a statement.
Earlier today, House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco (Marinduque) vowed he would support measures in Congress to give more funding to PAF.
The airforce has been using the C-130 planes for decades to transport troops and supplies, as well in sending humanitarian assistance and relief during disasters.
President Rodrigo Duterte was at the Western Mindanao Command in Zamboanga City tonight, where he visited wounded troops and paid tribute to those killed from the crash.
"The life of a soldier is always valuable whether in the fields of fighting or events such as this," the president said, adding that assistance would be extended to families.
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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