Malacañang offered prayers for the safe recovery of the passengers of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) C-130 transport plane that crashed in Sulu Sunday morning.
Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque made the statement after the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief-of-Staff Gen. Cirilito Sobejana said that at least 17 soldiers died from the crash in Patikul on July 4.
In a statement, Roque said the Palace was saddened by the tragic incident as it reported to the public that rescue efforts were being conducted.
"We are deeply saddened by the C-130 mishap in Sulu," he said.
"Rescue efforts are ongoing, and we are one in praying for the safe recovery of the passengers," he added.
Meanwhile, Roque enjoined the public to wait for the AFP to release updates on the unfortunate incident.
On Sunday, Sobejana said that the aircraft was carrying 92 soldiers from Cagayan de Oro when it missed the runway while landing in Barangay Bangkal on Sunday morning.
Rescue and retrieval operations were being conducted on the crash site.