The death toll from the C-130H transport plane crash in Patikul, Sulu climbed to 52 as of Monday afternoon.

The two additional military fatalities were reported by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana Monday night.

“(The) AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) fatalities (is now) 49, injured (is) 47,” Lorenzana said in a message to reporters.

Meanwhile, the number of civilians killed in the crash remained at three with another four injured.

The Air Force C-130H with tail number 5125 was to transport troops to Jolo when it crashed in Patikul, Sulu around 11:30 a.m. Sunday.

The aircraft was one of the two C-130H acquired through a grant from the US government that arrived in the country last January 29. It was formally welcomed to the PAF fleet during a ceremony at the Villamor Air Base, Pasay last Feb. 18.

Around 96 people were recorded in the C-130’s flight manifest, including three pilots and five aircrews.

DUTERTE ASSURES FAMILIES OF SOLDIERS

President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday assured the families of soldiers killed and injured in the recent Philippine Air Force (PAF) C-130 plane crash that their sacrifices will not go in vain.

Duterte made this assurance during his visit to the AFP Western Mindanao Command (WESMINCOM) gymnasium in Zamboanga City to honor casualties in the military plane crash in Patikul, Sulu on Sunday.

“The life of a soldier is always valuable, whether in the fields of fighting or events such as this. They died for our country and for that I am very grateful to those who died and those who helped,” he said in his speech.

He said the national government would provide protection and assistance to the fallen soldiers’ families, including expenses for their daily living and tuition to fund their children’s education.

“The most important thing is that itong namatay (those who have died)…they shall not have died in vain. They died for our country and it behooves upon us to continue the help when they were allowed as they are now in heaven,” he added.

Duterte also vowed to provide a bigger budget for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

“This I promise you soldiers, I have said this before, we are still working on it,  but I want a bigger budget for the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” he said partly in Filipino.

He cut short his speech, saying he was “at a loss of words” and did not want to end up weeping.

“I am as sorrowful as you and as commander-in-chief, I am the most hurt. I am at a loss of words,” he said partly in Filipino.

Meanwhile, Duterte also visited the Camp Navarro General Hospital (CNGH) also in Zamboanga City to award the Order of Lapu-Lapu with the Rank of Kampilan to injured soldiers.

He later proceeded to the Naval Forces for Western Mindanao (NAVFORWEM) to lead the symbolic Conferment of the Order of Lapu-Lapu with the Rank of Kalasag to the fallen soldiers.

By virtue of Executive Order (EO) No. 35 signed on 28 July 2017, the Order of Lapu-Lapu Kampilan and Kalasag medals are awarded to officials and personnel of the government, as well as private individuals, who were seriously wounded or suffered great loss of property and to those who lost their lives, in the pursuit of the President’s campaign or advocacy.