View of the site after a Philippines Air Force Lockheed C-130 plane carrying troops crashed on landing in Patikul, Sulu province, Philippines July 4, 2021. Armed Forces of the Philippines – Joint Task Force Sulu/Handout via REUTERS
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police will be assisting the search and rescue operation for possible survivors in the crash of a C-130 military transport plane on Jolo island in Sulu province on Sunday.
Police chief Guillermo Eleazar said he ordered the Police Regional Office Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR) to assist the in search and rescue operation.
“In response to this tragic incident, I have already instructed the RD (regional director) [of] PRO-BAR, to coordinate with the AFP in extending all the necessary assistance that includes search and rescue and in attending to the medical needs of those who survived the plane crash,” Eleazar said in a statement.
Eleazar also ordered PRO-BAR to check if there are civilian casualties or affected local residents, and extend assistance.
According to the military, two civilians were killed on the ground while four were hurt.
“Not only friendship but brotherhood was established between police and military personnel in the performance of our sworn duty of achieving our common goal of lasting peace and development in Sulu and other conflict-torn areas of Mindanao,” Eleazar said.
“We are saddened by this unfortunate incident and we offer our deepest condolences to the family of our deceased soldiers,” he added.