The C-130 cargo plane was carrying about 90 troops and others when the accident occurred during landing.

“A total of 17 bodies have been recovered and 40 people have been rescued,” Defense Minister Delfin Lorenzana said in a statement.

“Responders are at the site now, we are praying we can save more lives, the 40 rescued were taken to the nearby 11th Infantry Division hospital,” said General Cirilito Sobejana, the country's armed forces chief.