CBCP, CHR ask for unity, swift probe on C-130 plane crash in Sulu

TRAGEDY SITE Military officers inspect the site in Patikul, Sulu province, where a Philippine Air Force Lockheed C-130 plane carrying troops crashed on Sunday. FILE PHOTO / REUTERS

MANILA, Philippines — The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) and  the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) called for unity and speedy investigation into the Sulu plane crash that left 52 people dead.

In separate statements on Tuesday, CBCP and CHR mourned the deaths of 49 soldiers and three civilians when the C-130 flight missed the Sulu runway on Sunday.

“It is with great sadness that we, your bishops, received the news of the crash of a C-130 aircraft in Jolo, Sulu,” CBCP said.

“As your pastors, we share the pain of loss that this recent news has brought us. We condole with the families and friends of the several soldiers and civilians who were killed by the crash,” it added.

The CBCP also called on Christians, Muslims and other people of goodwill “to continue to be united in solidarity and prayer” for those who are recovering in hospitals, and the families of the deceased.

The CHR, meanwhile, called for a swift investigation “to prevent the same tragedy” from happening again.

“Hiling din natin na maibigay sa mga naulilang pamilya ng mga sundalo at sibilyan ang lahat ng tulong at suporta na kailangan nila, kabilang silang mga nagpapagaling na nasa kritikal na kondisyon,” CHR Deputy Spokesperson Marc Louis Siapno said.

(We also wish that all the bereaved families of the soldiers and civilians killed and those who are in critical condition be given help and support.)

JPV