DAVAO CITY - The Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) on Wednesday lauded the Tausug villagers who were among the first responders to aid the soldiers who survived the C130 cargo plane mishap in Patikul, Sulu.
“The Western Mindanao Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines is extremely grateful to the assistance extended by our brothers and sisters Tausug in Sulu who were among the first responders that rescued several survivors of the air mishap on July 4, 2021,” said Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, Jr., Commander of the WMC in a statement.
He said the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) experienced one of the worst tragedies in history when the newly acquired Lockheed C-130 Hercules crash-landed in Barangay Bangkal on Sunday, July 4.
“To the survivors and all of us, our brothers and sisters Tausug are our heroes. They risked their own lives to save their fellow Filipinos whom they consider as their protectors from the malefactors,” Vinluan added.
The military commander also said that "the CAFGUs and cadre from Bangkal Patrol Base are also among the first responders who aggressively extricated more than 20 wounded soldiers from the incident site."
“Their heroic deeds are worthy of praise and recognition. This exemplifies that at times when we, protectors of the people and the state are in trouble, we have the peace-loving people to depend on. Muslims or Christians, we are Filipinos with one flag and one country,” he said.
Based on the latest update from the WMC, 47 soldiers are currently undergoing medical treatment at the private and public hospitals in Zamboanga City.