No fewer than 50 persons have been confirmed dead after a Philippines Air Force transport plane crashed on Sunday.
Gatekeepers News reports that the ill-fated plane which had 96 passengers on board crashed when it missed the runway while trying to land on the Southern Island of Jolo where the military is fighting the Abu Sayyaf and other armed groups.
According to officials, the plane was transporting soldiers, many of whom had just undergone basic training, from the southern Cagayan de Oro city for deployment in Sulu.
“They were supposed to join us in our fight against terrorism,” Sulu Military Commander Major General William Gonzales said.
Military Chief, Cirilito Sobejana on Monday said 49 soldiers were injured in the fiery crash.
The Department of National Defence on Sunday said three civilians on the ground were also killed while four were injured when the C-130 Hercules transport plane crashed.
Gatekeepers News gathered that the three pilots were among those who survived the crash but were in a critical condition.
The ill-fated plane was one of two ex-US Air Force aircraft handed over to the Philippines as part of military assistance this year.
Defence Secretary, Delfin Lorenzana has ordered an investigation of the incident.
