17 dead and 40 injured in Philippine military plane crash

Philippine Secretary of Defense Delfin Lorenzana has confirmed that at least 17 people were killed and 40 injured when a military plane crashed after losing track in the south of the country.

In a statement, the official said ninety-two people, most were military, they were on board the C-130 Hercules transport plane when it crashed on the island of Jolo in the province of Sulu around noon of this country.

As reported by local media, the aircraft was performing the landing maneuver when the runway was passed and could not catch up. The authorities are maintaining a search and rescue mission for those on board the military plane.

Many passengers had recently completed their basic military training and they were deployed to the island as part of a joint force fighting armed groups in the predominantly Muslim region.

The military has a strong presence in the southern Philippines, where groups like Abu Sayyaf operate, often kidnapping for ransoms.

(With information from EFE and AFP)

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