White House offers 'deep condolences' to PH over Sulu plane crash
By Roy Mabasa
The United States government has conveyed its “deep condolences” to the Philippines following the crash of a C130H plane that killed 50 people, mostly army soldiers, and injured several dozens of others in Patikul, Sulu on Sunday, July 4, 2021.

In a message released by the White House on Monday (Sunday in Washington, D.C.), National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said the United States “stand shoulder to shoulder” with its Philippine ally and expressed readiness to provide support to the government’s response effort.
“On behalf of the United States, I offer our deep condolences to the people of the Philippines regarding the tragic plane crash in which several dozen service members were killed. Our thoughts are with those who were injured and the families of those who were lost. We stand shoulder to shoulder with our Philippine allies at this difficult time and are ready to provide all appropriate support to the Philippines’ response effort,” Sullivan said in the statement.
Hours after the deadly crash took place before noon on Sunday, US Embassy Charge d’Affaires John Law said the Embassy is extending medical support to the Philippine armed forces 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 tweeted.
The C130 Hercules plane with tail number 5125 that crashed in Sulu was one of the two military aircraft that was turned over to the Philippines by the United States early this year as part of its military assistance to the country.
According to the Philippine Air Force, the plane took off from Villamor Air Base to Lumbia Airport in Cagayan de Oro and subsequently ferried personnel who were supposed to serve and augment the 11thInfantry Division in Sulu.