Duterte pays his respects as death toll climbs to 52

ZAMBOANGA. President Rodrigo Duterte pays his respects to 49 newly trained soldiers who perished in a military plane crash in Patikul, Sulu. (Malacañang)
ZAMBOANGA. President Rodrigo Duterte pays his respects to 49 newly trained soldiers who perished in a military plane crash in Patikul, Sulu. (Malacañang)

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Monday evening, July 5, 2021, paid his respects to the soldiers who perished in the military plane crash in Patikul, Sulu.

The death toll from the crash climbed to 52 as two soldiers died from their injuries. Among the fatalities were three civilians.

Duterte expressed his condolences to the families of the fatalities, saying he was “very saddened” by the tragic incident.

“I commiserate with you. I am as sorrowful as you. And as Commander-in-Chief, ako ‘yong pinaka-nasasaktan sa buhay na nawala,” Duterte said in his speech at the Western Mindanao Command in Zamboanga City.

“I am at a loss (for) words so that I will end up here, or else I will end up crying also like you,” he added.

He gave the soldiers a snappy salute as he posthumously conferred the Order of Lapu-Lapu, rank of Kalasag, on some of them.

He expressed gratitude to them for dying while bestowing service to the country.

He assured that assistance will be provided to the families of the 49 soldiers who died and to the 47 others who are still recuperating in the hospitals.

Duterte also said he hoped the sale of a portion of Fort Bonifacio will be completed before his term ends. Proceeds from the sale will be used for the benefits of retired military personnel.

“I hope we finish this before I make my exit na malagyan kayo ng isang GSIS for your mga.. lahat na, retirement and everything, and you have your own bank. Ang ano lang nito is I will sell a part of Bonifacio,” he said.

“We are still working at it pero gusto ko lang maiwan, gusto kong maglagay ng malaking pera para sa Armed Forces of the Philippines. Iyan lang ang mabawi ko sa sundalo ko lalo na ‘yong namatay, that they will — their families will be protected, that their families will be comfortable at ‘yong daily living and education of the children will be assured,” he added.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana announced the death of two more soldiers. He said 47 others are still undergoing treatment.

The soldiers were on board a C-130 aircraft that missed the runway, crashed and exploded in Barangay Bangkal, Patikul at around 11:30 a.m. Sunday, July 4.

Most of the soldiers were fresh graduates of military training and were being deployed to Sulu, where terrorist group Abu Sayyaf Group is operating.

The C-130 aircraft had come from the Villamor Airbase in Pasay City. It flew to Cagayan de Oro City to pick up the soldiers and bring them to Sulu.

Three civilians were also killed while four others were injured.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said all 96 passengers of the plane have been accounted for, but they have yet to identify the soldiers who perished.

Majority of the bodies were charred and beyond recognition. Forensic examination is needed to identify them. (Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo / SunStar Philippines)

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