MANILA, Philippines — The international community has expressed sympathy to the Philippines following Sunday’s crash of a military cargo plane in Sulu, claiming the lives of 49 soldiers and three civilians.
“Our thoughts are with those who were injured and the families of those who were lost,” US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said in a statement on Monday.
Sullivan said the United States was standing “shoulder-to-shoulder” with its allies and was “ready to provide all appropriate support” to the Philippines “at this difficult time.”
“The US Embassy is assisting in providing medical support and stands ready to provide further assistance,” Charge d’Affaires John Law of the US Embassy in Manila said in a separate post on Twitter.
German Ambassador Anke Reiffenstuel offered condolences to the Philippines in a tweet, saying “my thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families.”
In a statement, British Defense Minister Ben Wallace said his thoughts “are with the loved ones of those affected by the military aircraft crash … are also with the wider defense community in the Philippines who I know will keenly feel this loss.”
‘Tragic news’
British Ambassador Daniel Pruce said the crash was “tragic news” and that he was “desperately sad for everyone affected.”
Australia conveyed its sympathy and said it stood ready to help the country.
“Australia is deeply saddened … Our heartfelt condolences to the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the families of the personnel involved in the tragic incident. Our thoughts are with you at this difficult time,” said Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Steve Robinson.
The European Union said it was “saddened for the loss of lives” in the crash.
French Ambassador Michele Boccoz expressed sympathy over what she described as a “brutal and unexpected” accident.
Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr., in a post on Twitter, relayed sympathies shared by Turkey for the families of the victims.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the tragedy would spur the Duterte administration to continue upgrading the equipment of the AFP, noting that the ill-fated aircraft and the Black Hawk helicopter that crashed in Tarlac province last month, killing six Air Force personnel, were newly acquired.
The C-130 plane that crashed on Sunday was delivered to the Philippines in January after it was acquired through a US grant.