The United States has offered its condolences to the families of the victims of a C-130 aircraft of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) that crashed in Sulu before noon on Sunday.
US Embassy Charge d’Affaires John Law said the Embassy is extending medical support to the Department of National Defense (DND) and expressed its readiness to provide additional help.
“We offer our sincerest condolences to the families of those who passed away in the crash in Sulu. The U.S. Embassy is assisting @dndphl in providing medical support and stands ready to provide further assistance,” Law said in a statement posted on his Twitter account.
Initial reports said at least 17 people have died while 40 have been rescued after a C1-30 Hercules crashed as it tried to land in Jolo, Sulu. Ninety-two people, mostly army personnel were on board the plane that emanated from Cagayan de Oro.
The C130 plane was one of the two United States military aircraft that was turned over to the Philippines early this year as part of the US military assistance to the country.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr., meanwhile, thanked the United States Embassy for conveying its condolences and for extending medical assistance to the victims of the deadly crash.
Locsin likewise said Turkish Ambassador to the Philippines Artemiz Sümer expressed her government’s and country’s sympathy and condolence to those who lost someone.