THE CITY government has sent six doctors and a nurse to Zamboanga, along with medical assistance to the victims and families of the tragic C-130H plane crash in Jolo, Sulu on Sunday.
In a live interview during the Special Hour over the Davao City Disaster Radio on Monday, Mayor Sara Duterte said the city is in close coordination with the local government of Zamboanga is extending the needed medical assistance for the injured survivors.
“As help nato as Dabawenyos, we sent six doctors to Zamboanga City, to assist ilang doctors didto kung unsa ilang mabuhat didto para sa mga survivors and those who are injured (As a form of our help as Dabawenyos, we sent six doctors, to assist doctors there in whatever they can do to help the survivors and those who are injured),” she said.
The doctors are from the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) who volunteered to help and bring the medical supplies to Zamboanga. They were Dr. James David, Dr. Kent Antolin, Dr. Ali Pendaliday, Dr. Jikko Superioridad, Dr. Kalvin Estañero, Dr. Marvie Aguro – and Aljimar Kahal, a nurse.
The C-130H plane crash killed 50 people, 47 military personnel, and 3 civilians and injured 53 (49 military personnel and four civilians). The mayor said that the city is a sister city of Zamboanga.
“Constant ang atoang coordination with the Zamboanga Local government unit. We are asking them if duna pa silay kinahanglan to support the retrieval recovery and treatment of the injured as well as the management of the dead (Our coordination with the Zamboanga local government is constant; we are asking them if they still need anything to support the retrieval and treatment of the injured as well as the management of the dead,” the mayor said.
In an earlier statement, the city government offered its deepest condolences to the families of those who perished from the crash. In honor of those who died in the tragedy, Davao City will fly the flag at half-mast from July 5 to July 9, 2021.
US gov’t extends medical aid to C-130 crash victims
ZAMBOANGA CITY (MindaNews) — The United States government provided assistance during the medical evacuation of soldiers who sustained serious injuries when a Philippine Air Force C-130 plane crashed in Patikul, Sulu on Sunday, City Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco said Monday.
Filipino soldiers give a warm welcome to a US trooper minutes before the military exercise in Carmen, North Cotabato was formally opened Monday, July 26.
Responding to a request from Western Mindanao Command chief LGen Corleto Vinluan, the US Emergency Medical Services Team led by Abdel Canti assisted Philippine military doctors in the transfer and treatment of the crash victims.
Aside from medical supplies, Davao City also sent on Monday six surgeons and specialists – Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte offered the assistance in view of the fact that Zamboanga City’s medical sector was having its hands full with COVID-19 cases.
Early on Monday, Scene of the Crime Operatives said DNA tests were needed to identify the charred remains of the victims at different funeral parlors in the city.
‘Heartbroken”
US soldiers who were deployed in Zamboanga City and Sulu for months shared their sentiments on the crash and their experiences with their Filipino counterparts.
“I have many fond memories while working in Jolo from 2007-2012 with the US military and working along-side the Philippine military. The security on the island was a concern from Abu Sayyaf, but there were still so many people who were working to make a better life for the Tausug people. I continue to see so much potential in Jolo and look forward to returning someday to vacation and enjoy the beauty of the land and the people again,” Lt. Col. Tyler Wilson, then a civil-military operations officer of the Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines.
“I know it’s 4th of July, but I feel so heartbroken over the C-130 crash in Sulu, Philippines. What a terrible way to go out. The fact I’ve landed there, jumped and shared that aircraft with my Filipino brothers and sisters makes it worse. Never take life for granted, people,” Brian Adams said.
“My condolences to the families and the faithful of the soldiers and citizens who died yesterday after their C-130 crashed in Patikul. I fondly remember the warm welcome and protection of the Philippine military during the medical mission,” Peter Du Pont said.
US and Filipino troops have staged joint military exercises in the country under the Visiting Forces Agreement.
During their stay, the US military built, among others the birthing clinic at the Zamboanga City Medical Center which was used for a few days as the treatment and quarantine area of the first COVID-19 patients in the city. ( with reports from Frencie L.Carreon/MindaNews)
