View of the site after a Philippines Air Force Lockheed C-130 plane carrying troops crashed on landing in Patikul, Sulu province, Philippines July 4, 2021. Armed Forces of the Philippines – Joint Task Force Sulu/Handout via REUTERS
MANILA, Philippines — The United States has conveyed its condolences to the Philippines over the military plane crash in Sulu that killed at least 50 military personnel and civilians.
US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said Washington stands ready to provide needed support for the country’s response effort following the crash.
“On behalf of the United States, I offer our deep condolences to the people of the Philippines regarding the tragic plane crash in which several dozen service members were killed,” Sullivan said in a statement published on the White House website Monday (Manila time).
"We stand shoulder to shoulder with our Philippine allies at this difficult time and are ready to provide all appropriate support to the Philippines’ response effort."
Read NSA @JakeSullivan46's statement on the military plane crash in the Philippines: https://t.co/mwupPcTmcn pic.twitter.com/ldeZstgvuO— U.S. Embassy in the Philippines (@USEmbassyPH) July 5, 2021
“Our thoughts are with those who were injured and the families of those who were lost. We stand shoulder to shoulder with our Philippine allies at this difficult time and are ready to provide all appropriate support to the Philippines’ response effort,” he added.
At least 50 have been reported killed after a C-130 plane crashed in Jolo, Sulu, of which 47 were military personnel, while three were civilians on the ground.
Meanwhile, 49 military personnel and four other civilians on the ground were injured.
All of the 96 passengers of the C-130 plane have been accounted for, Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson Maj. Gen. Edgard Arevalo earlier said.
The plane was carrying Philippine Army troops to be dispatched to the province to help combat terrorism. The plane tried to land but overshot the Jolo airport runway.