All 50 soldiers who died in C-130 crash in Sulu identified

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

The Armed Forces of the Philippines has finally identified all the cadavers of the 50 military personnel who died when a C-130 aircraft crashed in Sulu province on July 4.

In a statement on Friday, the AFP said the last 10 bodies identified were of Corporals Dexter Estrada, Reynel Matundin and Gulam Ismael; Private First Class Bengie Malanog; and Privates Ian Azuelo, Erwin Canton, Mansueto Lingatong III, Mar Jhun Capagngan and Michael Dalore, all of the Philippine Army; and Airman Second Class Glen Mar Biscocho of the Philippine Air Force.

The AFP said it had already transported the remains of the military personnel to their respective hometowns so they could be reunited with their families.

The C-130 Hercules plane, which crashed as it was landing in Patikul, Sulu, was carrying 96 personnel, mostly new recruits to be deployed in the Army’s 11th Infantry Division.

The AFP tapped experts from Philippine National Police Scene of the Crime Operation as the military had a hard time identifying the bodies because they were burned beyond recognition.