C-130 crash findings to be released soon: AFP

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 5, 2021): C-130 crash findings to be released soon: AFP (By Priam Nepomuceno)

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The Philippine Air Force (PAF) will release "as soon as possible" the results of its investigation on the crash of the Lockheed C-130 "Hercules" transport aircraft in Patikul, Sulu last which killed 50 military personnel and three civilians on the ground last July 4.

"I just talked with the commanding general of the PAF yesterday, (Lt.) Gen. Allen Paredes and he did not give an exact timeline but he said that they will be releasing the investigation soon of what happened (to the) C-130," newly-appointed Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff, Lt. Gen. Jose Faustino Jr. said in an interview with CNN Philippines Wednesday night.

Some 46 military personnel and four civilians were also wounded in the mishap.

"The C-130 crash really is a tragedy not only to the PAF but to the whole of the AFP and these incidents can be avoided. We will try to look more at the training side, the maintenance and all (other aspects). Rest assured sa ating mga kababayan na once lumabas ang investigation, ito ay agad naming isasapubliko (rest assured that the results of the investigation will be made public once it is available)," he added.

Citing the report of Philippine Army commander Lt. Gen. Andres Centino, Faustino said they have yet to identify 15 remains.

"We know the people kung sino yung namatay but of course we have to check based on DNA na sila talaga yung mga, para kung binigay namin to sa kanilang mahal sa buhay siguradong tayo na sila, so ang sabi sa akin ni CGPA (Commanding General of the Philippine Army) it may take a week or two bago natin ma-identify yun 15 na katao (We already knew who died in the accident but of course, we have to check and determine their identities via DNA so if we release the remains to their loved ones, we can at least be sure that we are giving them the right cadaver. CGPA told me that it may take them a week or two before we can finalize the identities of these 15 troops)," he added.

Last month, the black box or the flight data recorder of the ill-fated aircraft was sent to the United States for analysis.

The analysis of the black box, which might take around a month, is expected to provide vital information on the cause of the incident.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1149468