ANOTHER soldier succumbed to his injuries, bringing the death toll from the military plane crash in Sulu to 53.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Cirilito Sobejana on Tuesday, July 6, 2021, said that the latest fatality was receiving treatment at the West Metro Medical Center in Zamboanga City.

“Ang sanhi po nito ay ‘yung chemical burns na natamo niya sa kanyang mukha, at ... baka naka-inhale ng smoke kaya yun ang nag-aggravate ng kanyang medical condition,” Sobejana said.

Sobejana said 46 soldiers are still undergoing treatment in various hospitals in Mindanao.

He earlier said that some of them were still in critical condition.

Meanwhile, Senator Emmanuel Pacquiao said he will give P50,000 to each of the families of the soldiers who died in the crash and P20,000 to each injured soldier. He said this will come from his personal funds.

“Kasama po ako ng sambayanan sa panalangin para ating mga bayaning nasawi at para sa agarang paggaling ng mga sugatan,” he said in a statement.

On Sunday, July 4, 2021,

A C-130 plane with 96 military personnel onboard missed the runway and crashed in Patikul, Sulu on July 4, 2021, immediately killing 47 soldiers and three civilians. Three other soldiers died while undergoing treatment.

Most of the soldiers had just completed training and were being deployed in Sulu to augment troops fighting the terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group.

President Rodrigo Duterte vowed to extend all the necessary assistance to the bereaved families. (SunStar Philippines)