Tausug Heroes

A WEEK after the fiery crash of a military C-130 cargo plane that killed over 50 people and wounded dozens more in Sulu’s Patikul town, praises continue to pour for the Tausugs who bravely risked their lives in rescuing soldiers from the burning wreckage.

 

The aircraft was transporting nearly 100 soldiers from Cagayan de Oro City when it overshot the runway and crashed on July 4. The military said 49 soldiers and four civilians were wounded in the incident. 

Among those who first responded to the crash scene were civilians and members of the Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit - Active Auxiliary (CAA). 

“Nakita namin yun eroplano na bumagsak at pagkatapos ay agad kaming pumunta sa pinagbagsakan. Nakita namin yun mga sundalo at agad namin ni-rescue at pagkatapos ay tumawag kami ng jeep para maisakay sila papuntang ospital. At pagpunta ko (ulit) doon (sa crash site) sumama na ako sa mga (ibang) sundalo kahit hindi ko (sila) kilala kasi wala na sa isip (at ang) gusto ko kasi (ay) tumulong sa mga tao.” 

“Hindi ko na mabilang yun (mga) tinulungan kong sundalo kahit Kristiyano o Muslim man (dahil) hindi naman ang pumili kung sino ang tutulungan ko. Hindi po ako nagsisi na pumunta ako dito (sa crash site) dahil gusto ko po makatulong sa mga sundalo o sibilyan dito. Hindi po ako kinabahan kasi gusto ko pong tumulong sa mga tao,” said Erham Awalludin, a construction worker who was among those first to respond to the crash 

Heroic 

Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, chief of the Western Mindanao Command, praised the Tausugs for their heroic acts of bravery in rescuing the injured soldiers from the burning plane. 

“The Western Mindanao Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines is extremely grateful to the assistance extended by our brothers and sisters Tausug in Sulu who were among the first responders that rescued several survivors of the air mishap on July 4, 2021. During this hard time, the Armed Forces received overwhelming support from the villagers who unhesitatingly responded to the crash site and rescued injured victims, and brought them to safety,” Vinluan said. 

“From the survivors and all of us, our brothers and sisters Tausug are our heroes. They risked their own lives to save their fellow Filipinos whom they consider as their protectors from the malefactors. Their heroic deeds are worthy of praise and recognition. This exemplifies that at times when we, protectors of the people and the state are in trouble, we have the peace-loving people to depend on. Muslims or Christians, we are Filipinos with one flag and one country,” he added. 

Photos from Western Mindanao Command and 11th Infantry Division show the Tausugs who are among those who first responded to the C-130 crash site in Patikul town.

Bronze Cross 

Even the 11^th Infantry Division in Sulu province commended that CAA members who rescued over a dozen wounded soldiers from the crash site, and would recommend to the Armed Forces of the Philippines to award the CAA members the Bronze Cross Medal.

"The Tausugs CAA heroes under 5th Special Forces Company stationed nearest to the incident site will be recommended to be recipients of Bronze Cross Medal, a military decoration of the Armed Forces of the Philippines which is awarded for heroism involving risk of life,” said General William Gonzales, commander of the 11th Infantry Division.

 

Sulu Governor Sakur Tan also cited the heroic acts of the responders to the crash site and at the same time condoled with the families of the soldiers who perished in the incident.

“The air mishap involving a C-130 military aircraft ferrying troop augmentation to Sulu which claimed precious lives, both on board and on the ground, comes at a time when we are dealing with the pandemic, piling up the sacrifices our frontliners have offered in the name of peace and the safety and security of the people they are conscientiously serving. Allah's Wisdom on matters of life and death is unfathomable. Helpless as mortals are, we can but submit all to His Will.” 

“To the bereaved families of the victims, our deep condolences on your losses, and to the injured we pray for your fast recovery. Since the onset of the pandemic and in the war against terror, our patience and resolve have been stretched to limits we thought insurmountable, yet we overcame. When these challenges come to pass, more than anything else, let us celebrate the triumph of the human spirit, in shaa Allah,” he said. 

The governor also provided an initial assistance of P150,000 to the families of civilians killed in the crash and P30,000 each for the wounded villagers for their medical treatment; and P20,000 to those injured who did not require hospitalization. He also released P200,000 in housing aid for two families whose houses were destroyed in the plane crash.

Shock 

Vice Governor Toto Tan said the crash of the cargo plane was a shock to all and also claimed the lives of 3 civilians in the village. 

(Photo by Jaques Tutong)

“Sulu was shaken with shock when a C-130 military aircraft carrying troops overshot the runway and burst into flames. We are lost for words. We condole with the bereaved families on the demise of their loved ones while in line of duty. I call on everyone to exercise restraint and patience while authorities are conducting official investigations,” he said. 

“The Provincial Government will extend all necessary assistance to the families of the affected. It is indeed tragic that such a mishap befalls Sulu while we are still preoccupied with the pandemic. Again, our deep condolences to the families of those who perished and praying for the early recovery of the injured,” he added.

According to a report of MaxDefense Philippines, the transport plane was the former MC-130 Combat Spear aircraft of the US Special Operations Command. The aircraft, it said, was purchased under Horizon 2 phase using Philippine funding and U.S. military assistance grant. 

Black Hawk

The crash came four days after a Philippine Air Force S-701 Black Hawk helicopter crashed during night flight training in the town of Capas in Tarlac province in central Luzon, killing all six airmen aboard. 

The downed Polish-built chopper was under the 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing based at Clark Air Base. The cause of the crash is still being investigated.

The helicopters are manufactured by PZL Mielec, a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin, which had also previously acquired Sikorsky, the original manufacturer of the Black Hawk.

The Philippines acquired the helicopters under a government-to-government deal with Poland, signing a contract worth $241 million in 2019. The Black Hawks are being bought under the U.S. ally’s five-year Horizon 2 modernization program, which will run from 2018-2022. (Mindanao Examiner)

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