CEBU CITY — The remains of three pilots and three crew members, who died in the July 4 C-130 crash in Sulu province, arrived here at Mactan-Benito Ebuen Air Base in Lapu-Lapu City late on Wednesday (July 7).
The bodies of the six fatalities were brought to Cebu via a C-295 tactical military transport aircraft for a tribute by their mother unit, the 220th Airlift Wing.
Capt. Dancel Bacaycay, information officer of the 220th Airlift Wing, said the duration of the bodies’ stay in the air base was uncertain. “It will depend on the decision of their families,” he said.
The six troopers were given military honors by colleagues in the 220th Airlift Wing.
Their remains were brought to St. Peter Funeral Homes for processing. Wake will be at the air base chapel.
At least 52 people, including 49 military personnel, died after a C-130 military plane crashed in Patikul town in Sulu on July 4 after it missed the runway in Jolo.
Among the bodies brought to Cebu were those of pilots Maj. Emmanuel Makalintal, Maj. Michael Vincent Benolerao and 1Lt. Karl Joseph Hintay and crew members TSgt. Donald Badoy, SSgt. Jan Neil Macapaz and Sgt. Jack Navarro.
Macapaz and Badoy are from Lapu-Lapu City while the four others are from different areas in Luzon and Mindanao.
Another fatality is also a resident of Lapu-Lapu City: Airman 1st Class Fortunate Regidor.
Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard Chan promised to give burial assistance to the families of the three fatalities.
In a television interview, Macapaz’s 66-year-old mother, Teofista, said she received information about her son’s death from the Philippine Air Force on July 5.
“His family was hoping he would come back since they were planning to bond in Cordova with his wife and two children,” she said.
Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, armed forces chief, said an investigation is ongoing to determine the cause of the crash.