AFP identifies 19 of 49 soldiers killed in Sulu C-130 plane crash

The Armed Forces of the Philippines revealed Wednesday the names of the 19 soldiers who were killed in the crash of C-130 aircraft in Sulu.

Of the 49 servicemen who died in the incident, the AFP already identified 19 of the cadavers as some of them were burned beyond recognition. 

Those identified include:

• Major Emmanuel Makalintal
• Major Michael Vincent Benolerao
• First Lieutenant Joseph Hintay
• Technical Sergeant Mark Anthony Agana
• Technical Sergeant Donald Badoy
• Staff Sergeant Jan Neil Macapaz
• Staff Sergeant Michael Bulalaque
• Sergeant Jack Navarro

From AFP Medical Corps

• Captain Higello Emeterio from the AFP Medical Corps
• From the AFP Nurse Corps:
• First Lieutenant Sheena Alexandria Tato

From the Philippine Army

• Sergeant Butch Maestro
• Private First Class Christopher Rollon
• Private First Class Felixzalday Provido
• Private Raymar Carmona
• Private Vic Monera
• Private Mark Nash Lumanta
• Private Jomar Gabas
• Private Marcelino Alquisar
• Private Mel Mark Angana

According to AFP, at least 11 of the remains were already brought to their home towns, including Emeterio, Maestro, Agana, Rollon, Provido, Gabas, Alquisar, Lumanta, Angana, Carmona, and Monera.

Sheena Alexandria Tato's remains are now being transported via C295 aircraft while seven of the identified cadavers are being prepared for air and land transport, the AFP added.

AFP chief General Cirilito Sobejana said they are focused on the identification of 30 more cadavers still in Zamboanga City as well as the ongoing investigation of the plane crash.

He also corrected the previous report of 50 total fatalities among AFP personnel saying that there had been a double count. As of Wednesday, the total deaths among servicemen in the crash are still at 49.

“This is a very hard task since the cadavers were beyond recognition but we have experts supporting our efforts. We are doing our best to expedite the identification and the ongoing investigation without compromising its credibility,” Sobejana said.

He asked the public for understanding as investigating teams are still gathering more pieces of evidence to determine the circumstances of the tragedy.

“Our people can be assured of the AFP’s transparency however the investigation process takes time. All factors are being considered in our deliberate efforts to ensure the accuracy of the findings,” he added. —LBG, GMA News