By Froilan Gallardo
Special Correspondent

“TUMAYO ang balahibo ko,” Major General Romeo Brawner Jr., the new commander of the 4th Infantry Division said when he learned that the Philippine Air Force C-130 plane crashed in Patikul, Sulu last Sunday.

Brawner and his entire family of seven and his military staff were the last passengers of the ill-fated plane before it left Cagayan de Oro for Sulu where it crashed.

He said the plane took him and his family from Villamor Air Base to Cagayan de Oro so he could attend the turnover ceremonies of his new command at the 4th infantry Division in Camp Evangelista, Cagayan de Oro on Monday.

“I saw the faces of the pilots. I saw the faces of the other passengers. I can still remember them,” Brawner told reporters during the press conference right after he assumed command on Monday.

As the customary practice of the Philippine Air Force, Brawner said the plane’s senior pilot, Major Emmanuel Makalintal, gave him a briefing for the flight ahead before it took off from Villamor Air Base.

“He (Makalintal) briefed me as the most senior officer of his passenger of what to expect of the flight and the weather,” Brawner said.

He said he, his family, the pilots, the crew, and his staff then gathered around and prayed for a safe flight ahead.

Brawner said two Air Force personnel hitched a ride on the plane at the last minute.

“It was (an) uneventful flight to Lumbia Airport in Cagayan de Oro. The plane was relatively new and we were the only passengers aboard,” Brawner said.

He said they disembarked at the military airport in Lumbia and the C130 plane took off again for nearby Laguindingan Airport to refuel and where the soldiers boarded.

Brawner said he received the news that the plane crashed more than an hour later last Sunday.

“Tumayo ang balahibo ko. (I) and my family were given a second chance to live,” Brawner said.

He said that elation was however cut short when the news of the dead began to pile up.

Brawner said he and his family went to a nearby church to pray and light candles for the pilots, crew, and soldiers of the C130 plane.