16 of 50 soldiers killed in C-130 crash identified —Sobejana

Sixteen of the 50 military personnel who perished in the July 4 crash of a C-130 plane in Sulu have been identified, Armed Forces chief General Cirilito Sobejana said Wednesday.

Interviewed on Unang Balita, Sobejana said two remains were airlifted to Clark and another two were transported by land since they were residents of Mindanao.

“Sixteen na po ‘yung nakilala out of the number of passengers who perished doon sa naturang crash [Sixteen remains were already identified out of the number of passengers who perished in the crash],” he said.

Sobejana said the fatalities were being identified through DNA tests and dental records as they were burned beyond recognition.

He said a burn expert was recently sent by Davao City Mayor Sarah Duterte to augment their team in determining the identity of the remains.

The C-130 crashed in Barangay Bangkal in Patikul after failing to land at the airport shortly before noon on Sunday.

As of Tuesday night, the death toll from the crash was at 53 -- 50 soldiers and three civilians. Meanwhile, 46 servicemen and four civilians were injured.

Investigation is ongoing to determine the cause of the accident. The military has already denied that the plane was overloaded. —KBK, GMA News