PAF C-130 crash survivors meet their rescuers

The survivors of the Philippine Air Force C-130 crash last week have finally been able to meet their rescuers for the first time since the incident.

According to a report on Unang Balita on Thursday, the soldiers expressed gratitude to the civilians who rescued them.

"Walang humpay na pasasalamat," one of the survivors said.

[Undying gratitude.]

Joint Task Force Sulu commander Major General William Gonzales said meeting their rescuers was part of the soldiers' healing process.

"Kasi noong araw, galit na galit ang mga Tausug sa mga sundalo eh. Sabi ko nga walang relihiyon, walang kultura, pare-pareho tayo basta ganito na mga challenges sa buhay natin, tayo'y nag-tu-tulungan," Gonzales said.

[Back in the day the Tausug were very angry at the military. But there's no religion, no culture, we are all the same when it comes to challenges like this. We help each other.]

Among the first responders the injured soldiers met were CAA Madzkur Sahibbon, CAA Sharief Abridge Abdua, CAA Benhar Awaluddin, and army applicant Erham Awaluddin.

Fifty-three people were killed when the C-130 aircraft crashed in Barangay Bangkal in Patikul, Sulu just before noon on July 4.

The crash investigation was continuing as the aircraft's black box was sent to the United States to have its data retrieved. — Ma. Angelica Garcia/BM, GMA News