THE remains of the female military nurse who died in the ill-fated C-130 military plane crash in Patikul, Sulu were flown to Davao City Friday, July 9.
The body of Lieutenant Sheena Alexandria Tato arrived at the Davao Air Station, Headquarters Tactical Operations Wing Eastern Mindanao (Toweastmin) in Barangay Sasa.
The remains arrived around 7:20 a.m. via C-295 of the Philippine Airforce (PAF) accompanied by her family.
In a photo provided by Toweastmin, Retired Col. Wilfredo Barrera Tato, 70, is seen embracing his daughter's framed picture while the remains of Sheen were being unloaded from the plane.
Accoridng to Toweastmin's press release, the military nurse was given full military honor upon arrival at the old ramp of the former Francisco Bangoy International Airport (Davao International Airport).
The remains were brought to St. Peter Funeral Homes at Ecoland, Davao City for the wake immediately after arrival.
Sheena graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the Brokenshire College in 2011.
In 2015, she joined the Philippine Air Force, wherein she was one of the top students in her class.and became a member of the Nurse Corps.
Toweastmin said they "mourn the loss of" their "beloved comrade, a fellow soldier, a nurse and a loving daughter."
Brokeshire also extended its condolences to the Tato family.
"Brokenshire College, Inc. extends its sincere condolences to the bereaved family of 1LT. Sheena Alexandrea Tato, RN (BSN Batch 2011). Thank you for serving the nation through your chosen profession. The Brokenshire College community will continue to pray for the family's strength *prayer emoji*," the school said in its Facebook post on Tuesday, July 6.
Sheena was among the over 50 people killed in the air crash in Sulu's Patikul town.
In an interview with GMA’s One Mindanao, Wilfredo said his daughter boarded the C-130 flight as a substitute passenger, taking the place of a nurse who decided at the last minute not to go.
He said his daughter told him the flight had a slight problem. He told his daughter not to take the flight. However, a day after, Alexandria boarded the C-130 aircraft.
Prior to arriving in Davao City, Sheena's remains were brought to the Villamor Airbase in Pasay for military honors. RGL