By Froilan Gallardo
Special Correspondent
MOST of the passengers of the ill-fated Philippine Air Force C130 plane in Sulu this morning were new soldiers from the 4th Infantry Division training unit in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.
4ID spokesperson Major Rodolfo Cordero said most of the soldiers came from Cagayan de Oro and Misamis Oriental and it was the 4th Infantry Division who recruited them.
Cordero said the soldiers, numbering 50, boarded the C130 plane in Lumbia Airport Sunday, July 4.
He said the 50 soldiers were among the 149 new graduates from a six-month Basic Infantry Course at the 4ID Training Unit in Camp Bahian in Malaybalay City in Bukidnon.
Cordero said all 149 soldiers were regular replacements and reinforcements to the Army 11th Army Division in Sulu and waited in Lumbia Airport for the C130 plane to arrive.
He said the C130 plane came from Manila and have Major General Romeo Brawner Jr. and his staff as their passengers.
Brawner is supposed to assume command of the 4th Infantry Division Monday replacing Maj. Gen. Andres Centino has assumed command of the Philippine Army.
“Only 50 soldiers were accommodated in the C130 plane. The rest were left behind to wait for the next sortie,” Cordero said.
Cordero said they are preparing for the arrival of the victims from Sulu and give them full military honors.
AFP chief Gen. Cirilito Sobejana told reporters in Manila that at least 40 passengers have been rescued and are undergoing treatment at the 11th Infantry Division Hospital in Busbus town, Sulu.
He said the C130 aircraft with tail #5125 tried to land in Jolo but missed its landing eventually crashing in Barangay Bangkal, Patikul town in Sulu.
