8 more bodies from C-130 crash identified

MANILA, Philippines — The bodies of eight more of the 49 fatalities of the tragic C-130 cargo plane crash in Patikul, Sulu have been positively identified.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) public affairs office chief Capt. Jonathan Zata yesterday said this brings the total number of identified cadavers to 28.

The bodies of Privates First Class (PFC) Carlos Dapanas Jr., Keth Kane Alegarme, Marchi Bonzales and Philip Dante Camilosa; Corporal Jay-ar Obenita; Privates Archie Barba and Carlos Jhun C Paragua Jr. and Technical Sergeant Nelson Hadjiri are now being sent to their hometowns.

“The families of the recently identified soldiers were already officially informed. Air and land transportation are currently being arranged by the AFP to bring the remains of the soldiers to their loved ones,” Zata announced Sunday evening.

The military is still working on identifying the remains of 21 other soldiers who also died in the crash through dental records and forensic examination.

AFP chief Gen. Cirilito Sobejana earlier admitted that the positive identification of some of the victims is taking some time because many were burned beyond recognition.

The military has released the names of both those that have been identified and those whose identities are yet to be confirmed but are presumed to have died as they were passengers of the ill-fated cargo plane.

Apart from the soldiers, three civilians died on the ground when the plane overshot the runway in Patikul, Sulu.