Flags were lowered to half-mast in Camp Aguinaldo to mourn the passing of fallen soldiers aboard the Philippine Air Force (PAF) C130 aircraft that crashed in Sulu on Sunday (July 4).
Armed Forces of Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Maj. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said all the passengers of the aircraft were accounted for.
Department of National Defense (DND) data show that 50 individuals were killed, including 47 military personnel and three civilians, while 49 military personnel and four civilians are currently recovering in hospitals.
The C-130 with tail number 5125 is one of the new aircrafts of the Air Force fleet, and is one of the two assets bought by the Philippines in coordination with the United States government. The DND received it last January.
The country currently has five C130 aircraft, which Arevalo said will remain grounded following the tragic incident. The AFP also denied allegations that the military is using defective air assets.
“The aircraft is in tiptop shape. It is not brand new but it was in a very good condition. In fact, when it was delivered to the AFP, it had more than 11 thousand flying hours,” Arevalo said.
DND chief Delfin Lorenzana also appealed to the public to avoid entertaining hearsay.
“With the investigations of the past mishaps still ongoing, such speculations are as of yet baseless and disrespectful to the affected men and women of the Philippine Air Force and their families,” he stated.
The latest crash is the fourth PAF air asset incident this year after the January 16 Huey crash in Bukidnon, April 27 MD-520 crash in Bohol, and the June 23 Black Hawk crash in Tarlac.
Arevalo said they are still recovering the plane’s black box to aid their investigation.
Officials, lawmakers grieve
In a statement, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said the soldiers were being deployed to Sulu “as part of government efforts to combat terrorism and to keep our people safe.”
“Kasama po ako sa patuloy na nananalangin na hindi na kailanman kakailanganin pang ipadala ang ating mga sundalo sa iba’t-ibang parte ng bansa at magbuwis ng buhay upang ipaglaban ang karapatan ng ating mga kababayan para sa kapayapaan, katahimikan, at kaunlaran,” he said.
Senator Panfilo Lacson, Senate Committee on National Defense and Security chairperson, called to “pause to pray for the souls of those who perished” and for the recovery of those injured “before the Senate even thinks of exercising oversight on the AFP procurement of their air assets under the AFP modernization program.”
Senator Ronald Dela Rosa said he has yet to wait for the results of the investigation, while House Speaker Allan Velasco said he will push for fleet modernization in the next budget.
“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,” Dela Rosa said.
“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.
Communications Secretary Martin Andanar likewise called the nation in remembering the soldiers’ “bravery and dedication to their work” as they protect “the nation and its citizens from those who threaten our peace.” – Report from Bea Bernardo/AG-rir
