The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) finally identified Friday, Aug. 20, all 50 soldiers who perished in the tragic C-130 military plane crash in Patikul, Sulu more than six weeks since the tragedy struck.
Capt. Jonathan Zata, chief of AFP public affairs office, said 10 military personnel have been identified and were already transported to their respective hometowns for their burial.
They were Corporals Dexter Estrada, Reynel Matundin, and Gulam Ismael; Private First Class Bengie Malanog; Privates Ian Azuelo, Erwin Canton, Mansueto Lingatong III, Mar Jhun Capagngan, and Michael Dalore from the Philippine Army (PA); and Airman Second Class (A2C) Glen Mar Biscocho, from the Philippine Air Force (PAF).
"The AFP has already transported the remains of the personnel to their hometowns so they can be reunited with their families. The AFP condoles with the families of our deceased comrades in this time of grief," Zata said.
With this development, all the 38 Army personnel and 12 Air Force personnel who died from the July 4 plane crash have all been accounted for.
Four of the newly identified fatalities -- Canton, Capagngan, Linagtong, and Dalore -- were accorded arrival honors at the Lumbia Airport in Cagayan de Oro City. They were then brought to St. Ignatius de Loyola Chapel at the 4th Infantry Division headquarters in Camp Evangelista in Barangay Patag, Cagayan de Oro City.
From there, their bodies were transported to their hometowns: Canton in Sibagat, Agusan del Sur; Capagngan in Mahinog, Camiguin; Linagtong in Bacuag, Surigao del Norte; and Dalore in Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur.
Zata assured the families of all the fallen soldiers that they will be provided with the necessary support and assistance, as well as benefits due to the soldiers who died in line of duty.
"The memories of our brave comrades who paid the ultimate sacrifice will live on not only in their families but throughout the military organization who continues to risk everything to achieve just and lasting peace for our nation," he stated.
The accident happened on July 4 when a Lockheed C-130 Hercules cargo plane of the PAF crashed in Barangay Bangkal, Patikul, Sulu while attempting to land at the Jolo Airport.
Of the 96 military personnel onboard, 50 died while three civilians on the ground were also killed. The cause of the accident remains under investigation.