By Alec Go
President Rodrigo Duterte pledged to extend “all help” to the victims of the tragic Philippine Air Force (PAF) C130 aircraft crash that killed over 50 people on Sunday (July 4).
Duterte made his vow during his July 5 visit to Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) in Zamboanga City to honor the wounded and fallen soldiers of the aircraft incident.
“Gusto ko lang malaman ninyo that we will extend all help, at ‘yung ibang medyo naano ‘yung extremities nila, that we will have the same prosthesis and all,” he said in a speech.
Duterte said he will expand the benefits offered to Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) personnel and their families during his term, including housing and education privileges.
“Gusto kong maglagay ng malaking pera sa AFP. ‘Yan lang ang mabawi ko sa sundalo ko, lalo na ‘yung namatay — that their families will be protected and their families will be comfortable, and [the] daily living and education of their children will be assured,” he said.
“What is very important, really, is that the family that you’ll leave behind will have the same privileges. Importante riyan ang eskwela which we have set up a foundation for that, to see them through to college,” he added.
The death toll of the Patikul, Sulu crash climbed to 52 on Monday evening, including three civilians. AFP Spokesperson Maj. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said two more soldiers died, raising the fatality count in the military side to 49.
Honoring the fallen
The commander-in-chief said he was “at a loss [for] words” and in deep sorrow as he mourned the passing of soldiers who died for the country.
“More than anybody else or kasing pareho tayo, a life of a soldier is always valuable, whether in the fields of fighting or events such as this… The best that we can really do, and the most important thing, is that itong namatay, that they shall not have died in vain,” he said.
The C-130 with tail number 5125 was carrying 96 passengers from Cagayan de Oro, including young troops who were set for their initial deployment in Sulu. This is the fourth incident involving an air asset of the government this year.
The killed-in-action military personnel were conferred the Order of Lapu-Lapu with the rank of Kalasag.
Upon his arrival in Zamboanga, the Chief Executive also awarded the Order of Lapu-Lapu with the rank of Kampilan to the wounded-in-action soldiers admitted to Camp Navarro General Hospital (CNGH). – jlo
