3 more fatalities in C-130 plane crash identified

MANILA, Philippines — Three more fatalities in last month’s air accident involving a C-130 plane in Sulu have been positively identified, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) announced yesterday.

The remains of Cpl. Jerome Balivado and Pvts. Joey Loterte and Kevin Damole can now be released to their relatives, according to AFP spokesman Col. Ramon Zagala.

The cadavers were identified through DNA testing conducted by the Scene of the Crime Operatives laboratory in Zamboanga peninsula, Zagala said.

He said the AFP, through the Western Mindanao Command, had contacted the families of the victims.

The AFP is arranging the transport of the cadavers to their hometowns.

As of yesterday, 13 of 50 military personnel who died in the crash were yet to be identified.

Experts are thoroughly examining the charred remains to ensure that the correct bodies would be released to relatives, Zagala said.

He said a total of 37 cadavers have been positively identified.

Meanwhile, Eastern Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Greg Almerol visited the five survivors who are recuperating at Camp Panacan Hospital (CPH) in Davao City.

Almerol extended financial assistance to the survivors and their families.

The C-130 plane had 96 AFP personnel on board when it figured in the accident in Patikul on July 4.

Survivors Sgt. Bensaudi Asanulla and Pvts. Christian Banug, Cyrille de Castro, Stephen Maglacion and Ryan Tagubar were initially taken to the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) and were transferred to the CPH to continue their recovery.

Another survivor, Sgt. James Miguel Ybañez, remains at the SPMC to undergo surgery. He received the same financial assistance provided by the military.