The military went on official mourning on Monday by putting the Philippine flag at half-staff in all of its camps across the country as it began its investigation into the crash of a C-130 plane in Sulu on Sunday where nearly half of the soldiers onboard perished.
The six-day mourning—where the country’s tricolor is placed at half-mast in all camps and military installations around the country —was ordered by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff General Cirilito Sobejana who was on his way to Sulu following the mishap involving the military’s troop and cargo transport plane.
The Department of the National Defense (DND) and AFP both said that the ill-fated aircraft has 96 military personnel in its flight manifest, excluding the three pilots and five aircrew.
Both also reported that out of the official number, 47 soldiers were killed following the mishap, while 49 others were injured or wounded. Three civilians, who lived near the crash site, were also killed while four others were injured.
Although the official investigation is already ongoing, the military initially reported that the plane, with tail number 5125, was attempting to land at the airport in Jolo, Sulu, when it crashed past 11 a.m., Sunday, at Sitio Aman, Barangay Bangkal in the town of Patikul, also in the province.
The Philippine Air Force (PAF) said the ill-fated C-130 plane, which took off from the PAF’s headquarters at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City for Lumbia Airport in Cagayan de Oro City, and subsequently ferried personnel to Sulu, figured in mishap “upon its landing in Jolo.”
A statement from the military’s Joint Task Force-Sulu said the military aircraft was carrying “new privates” or newly recruited soldiers who were “enroute to Sulu” when it crashed, which the military described as one of its worst aviation accidents yet.
The task force said in the same statement released through its spokesman Lt. Jericca Angela Manongdo that according to witnesses, a “number of soldiers were seen jumping out of the aircraft before it hit the ground sparing them from the explosion caused by the crash.”
Military spokesman Major Gen. Edgard Arevalo, during a news briefing, said that witnesses accounts were among the subjects of the investigation focused on why the military plane crashed, even as the plane’s “black box” is being searched from the crash site.
The site is currently secured by the Army’s 45th Infantry Battalion and the PAF’s Tactical Operations Group-11, while scene of the crime operatives from the Philippine National Police are also undertaking their own investigation.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana has called on the public to refrain from speculating on the condition of the aircraft pending the results of the investigation. Arevalo explained that while the plane was not brand new, it was in a very good condition.
The military spokesman said that the C-130 has 11,000 flying hours left before it should have undergone maintenance checkup, as he debunked speculations that the aircraft was “defective.”
The military has four C-130s in its inventory, including the crashed aircraft. Currently, one of the aircraft is grounded, while the remaining two are undergoing preventive maintenance.
Late last month, a newly acquired S70i Black Hawk helicopter crashed while on a night flight training at the Crow Valley target range in Tarlac, and in January this year, a Huey helicopter also crashed in Bukidnon.
PAF’s fleets of Black Hawks and Hueys remained grounded until today as a precautionary measure, and while investigations have not yet been completed.
Arevalo said that all of the remains from the crash site have been recovered but that they are yet to be fully identified as the ill-fated C-130 was burned, with only its tail having been spared by the fire.
He assured that all the families or relatives of those who perished from the crash will receive the necessary assistance and benefits that they are entitled with, including those wounded and even the civilians.
Pressed about the crash, Arevalo said that what is left to be determined is why the C-130 went out of the runway, and they would also look into allegations that it was overloaded. He assured that the military would be transparent in its investigation.
Renewed push for PAF modernization
Following one of the country’s deadliest military aviation accidents, the House of Representatives on Monday vowed to push for the aircraft fleet modernization of PAF.
This developed as Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, Majority Leader Martin Romualdez, Deputy Speaker Rufus Rodriguez of Cagayan de Oro and Ang Probinsyano Rep. Ronnie Ong expressed their deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those who perished from the crash.
“There are simply no words that can be said to console those left behind by our brave military personnel, as well as the three civilians who died as a result of this disaster,” Velasco said.
Velasco also vowed to help the PAF replace the lost C-130 and to support its efforts to upgrade and modernize its fleet.
Congress was supposed to include the purchase of more C-130 planes in the 2021 national budget, but there was not enough time to deliberate on the modernization of the PAF’s fleet when Velasco took over as Speaker in October last year.
“I can only give my word that we in the House of Representatives will include in the 2022 budget the modernization of the PAF’s fleet as well as ensure the proper training of personnel in handling modern equipment,” Velasco said.
Romualdez, for his part, said full government assistance and benefits should be extended to the loved ones of our fallen soldiers and survivors the soonest time possible.
“The House of Representatives will await for a full report from the Defense Secretary who had ordered an investigation into this tragic incident,” he said.
“After receiving the report, rest assured that we will exhaust all means possible to make sure that our soldiers and men in uniform are safe from harm and their welfare protected,” the majority leader added.
Also, Rodriguez is urging the Department of National Defense (DND) and the military to extend all possible help to soldiers who died or were injured in the C-130 plane crash in Sulu.
He also requested for a list of victims from Cagayan de Oro, “my office will also give assistance to their families.”
“My heartfelt and sincere condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers and crew and civilians, and prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured, all of whom prepared to bravely defend our nation,” he said.
“It is with deep sadness that this tragedy took the lives of many young soldiers and injured dozens, most of whom are residents of Cagayan de Oro and Misamis Oriental,” he said.
Rodriguez said the DND and Armed Forces should assist the civilians and their families as well.
“They have to determine the cause as soon as possible. By most accounts, the C-130 is a safe transport plane,” he said.
Also, Rep. Ong said he joins the nation in mourning for soldiers and the civilians who perished in the C-130 crash.
“I also pray for the quick recovery of those who were injured. This tragedy should remind us of the daily perils faced by our soldiers and their sacrifices to serve our country and our people,” he added.