The identities of 19 soldiers who were victims of a C-130 military aircraft crash in Patikul, Sulu, have been determined.
Up to 12 bodies have been returned to their families. One of them is already buried. Seven more of the identified remains are prepared for air and land transport to be taken home to their respective families.
The deaths identified include the following:
PHILIPPINE AIR FORCE
- Maj. Emmanuel Makalintal
- Maj. Michael Vincent Benolerao
- 1Lt. First Lieutenant Joseph Hintay
- TSgt. Mark Anthony Agana
- TSgt. Donald Badoy
- SSG Jan Neil Macapaz
- SSG Michael Bulalaque
- Sgt. Jack Navarro
- Capt. Higello Emeterio – AFP Medical Corps
- 1Lt. Sheena Alexandria Tato – AFP Nurse Corps
PHILIPPINE ARMY
- Sgt. Butch Maestro
- PFC Christopher Rollon
- PFC Felixzalday Provido
- PVT Raymar Carmona
- PVT Vic Monera
- PVT Mark Nash Lumanta
- PVT Jomar Gabas
- PVT Marcelino Alquisar
- PVT Mel Mark Angana
19 remains from C-130 crash identified
Of the passengers of the C-130 flight, 12 were from the Philippine Air Force, and 84 were in the Philippine Army.
About 30 people are currently being identified through DNA tests and testing using dental records.
“This is a very hard task since the cadavers were beyond recognition – but we have experts supporting our efforts. We are doing our best to expedite the identification and the ongoing investigation without compromising its credibility. Our people can be assured of the AFP’s transparency; however, the investigation process takes time,” said Armed Forces of the Philippines chief general Cirilito Sobejana.
AFP Spokesperson Edgard Arevalo declined to comment on the information on the nurse’s boarding of the C-130 flight and other information on the soldiers who have yet to be identified.
The plane’s black box has also been recovered but is still waiting to be processed.
The two recordings will also be sent to America for content analysis and processing.
But it is not yet clear how long the process will take.
The number of soldiers killed in the AFP remains at 49, Sobejana clarified.
It was first mentioned that about 50 people died in their ranks, but they reported a “double count.”
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