Major General William Gonzales, commander of the Joint Task Force-Sulu, said 17 personnel remained unaccounted for, while about 50 were injured and are being treated in hospitals.

“This is a sad day but we have to remain hopeful. We enjoin the nation to pray for those who are injured and those who have perished in this tragedy,” Gonzales said.

The air force C-130 aircraft, which was transporting troops from southern Cagayan de Oro City in Mindanao to Sulu’s main town of Jolo, crashed in a southern province after missing the runway, officials said.