HOUSE Majority Leader and Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin G. Romualdez assured soldiers and men in uniform that Congress will work double time to keep safe the Philippine Air Force (PAF) air assets after its C-130 Hercules military plane crashed Sunday when it missed the runway upon landing in Patikul, Sulu.

“The House of Representatives will await for a full report from the Defense Secretary who ordered an investigation on this tragic incident. After receiving the report, rest assured that we will exhaust all means possible to make sure that our soldiers and men in uniform are safe from harm and their welfare protected,” said Romualdez, chairman of the House committee on rules.

Romualdez, Deputy Speaker and Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman, Dasmariñas City Rep. Elpidio “Pidi” Barzaga, Jr., Ako Bisaya party-list Rep. Sonny Lagon, Ang Probinsyano party-list Rep. Ronnie Ong, Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, Deputy Speaker and Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, and Muntinlupa City Rep. Ruffy Biazon expressed their profound condolences to the victims.

“I grieve with the families of our soldiers who perished in the C-130 plane crash in Sulu. These heroes of our time will be remembered for their great courage and service to our country,” Romualdez, president of the Lakas Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) and Philippine Constitution Association (Philconsa), said. “Full government assistance and benefits should be extended to the loved ones of our fallen soldiers and survivors the soonest time possible.”

“Nakikidalamhati ako sa pamilya ng mga nasawing sundalong sakay ng isang eroplanong papunta sa lalawigan ng Sulu. Ang mga naturang sundalo sana ay papunta ng Sulu upang sumama at makibahagi sa laban kontra terorismo, ngunit sa kasamaang palad ay nasawi sa isang aksidente. Maituturing na natin silang mga bayani na nagbigay ng kanilang buhay para sa bayan. Again, we condole with the families of the victims and we pay our deepest respects to our fallen soldiers,” Hataman said.

“I join the Filipino nation in condoling with those who have lost their loved ones in the tragic accident in Sulu. This is very unfortunate,” Barzaga, a CPA-lawyer by profession and chairman of the House committee on natural resources.

“I enjoin all to offer prayers for the bereaved families of our fallen soldiers and swift recovery of injured victims. I offer my heartfelt condolences to the loved ones of those who passed away,” Lagon said.

“I join the nation in mourning our soldiers and the civilians who perished in the C-130 crash in Patikul, Sulu. I also pray for the quick recovery of those who were injured. This tragedy should remind us of the daily perils faced by our soldiers and their sacrifices to serve our country and our people,” Ong said.

“There are simply no words that can be said to console those left behind by our brave military personnel, as well as the three civilians who died as a result of this disaster,” Velasco said.

Velasco vowed to help the PAF replace the lost C-130 and to support its efforts to upgrade and modernize its planes.

“I can only give my word that we in the House of Representatives will include in the 2022 budget the modernization of the PAF’s fleet as well as ensure the proper training of personnel in handling modern equipment,” Velasco said.

RODRIGUEZ APPEALS FOR ALL POSSIBLE HELP TO VICTIMS

Rodriguez urged the Department of National Defense (DND) and the military to extend all possible help to soldiers who died or were injured in the C-130 plane crash in Sulu.

In a text message to Defense Sec. Delfin Lorenzana Monday morning, Rodriguez said: “My deepest sympathies to the DND and the families of our soldiers who died in the plane crash. Please extend all possible assistance from the DND and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to our fallen heroes and those injured.”

He also requested for a list of victims from Cagayan de Oro. “My office will also give assistance to their families.”

Rodriguez condoled with the victims’ families. “My heartfelt and sincere condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers and crew and civilians, and prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured, all of whom prepared to bravely defend our nation.”

“It is with deep sadness that this tragedy took the lives of many young soldiers and injured dozens, most of whom are residents of Cagayan de Oro and Misamis Oriental,” he said.

Rodriguez said the DND and AFP should assist the civilians and their families as well.

He lauded Lorenzana for grounding similar aircraft of the military until an investigation into the Jolo crash is finished.

“They have to determine the cause as soon as possible. By most accounts, the C-130 is a safe transport plane,” he said.

As senior vice chairman of the House committee on defense and security, Biazon said “I “sympathize with and give my condolences to the families of those who perished today in the crash of an AFP transport plane in Jolo, Sulu. I pray that the survivors are all rescued without further loss of life among the injured.”

“The unfortunate crash of a Philippine Air Force C-130 plane, which has killed at least 17 military personnel is a major blow to the capability and morale of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, coming less than two weeks after a newly acquired Black Hawk helicopter went down, killing six officers and crew. The loss of life of our soldiers and airmen during training and non-combat operations is something that is difficult to accept although it is a part of the inherent risks in serving in the military. Their willingness to sacrifice their lives in the performance of their duty, whether while fighting the enemy or in training, is more than enough reason for the nation to give gratitude and honor to them,” Biazon said.

“With this latest incident, it becomes twice as urgent to determine the causes of these crashes whether human error, equipment failure, or weather disturbance is to blame. Being newly acquired assets, should equipment failure be determined as the cause, it will bring to fore questions on the quality of the assets acquired or the maintenance capability of the unit involved. Should it be determined that crew error is the cause, the training and readiness of personnel may have to be reviewed. We stand with the Department of National Defense and the Armed Forces of the Philippines in this time of grief for the loss of their personnel,” Biazon added.