The families of six soldiers killed in a C-130 plane crash in Patikul, Sulu will have to wait until the remains are delivered to their homes before their caskets can be opened.

The remains of Sergeant Butch D. Maestro from Misamis Oriental, Private Raymar C. Carmona from Agusan del Norte, and Privates Vic A. Monera, Mel Mark L. Angana, Mark Nash P. Lumanta, and Marcelino H. Alquisar from Bukidnon were identified through their dental records.

Their remains were flown in on Wednesday, July 7, from Zamboanga City and brought to the gym of Camp Edilberto Evangelista, headquarters of the 4th Infantry Division, for an overnight vigil and honor guard.

Bobby Lagsa/Rappler

According to 4^th Infantry Division spokesperson Major Francisco Garello, Jr., their remains were sealed in a casket as they were burned during the tragic crash of a Philippine Air Force plane.

AFP reports say 49 military personnel and 3 civilians were killed in the crash.

The families of the four soldiers from Bukidnon would have wanted to see their sons in the coffin to confirm it was them inside the casket, but Garello said it was not possible.

“Right now, the order is not to open. Their remains were wrapped in plastic,” Garello said, because they were burnt.

Vilma Monera, mother of Private Vic Monera, said she wanted to see her son.

“I would like to see him inside, to confirm that it is him,” Monera lamented.

Jowena Lumanta-Reyes, the elder sister of Private Mark Nash Lumanta, also echoed this sentiment.

“The last time I saw him was on July 1, on this very gym where they were staying awaiting for their deployment,” Reyes said as she cried.

Reyes said all she can do is sit in front of her brother’s casket, unable to see him. Reyes came alone as she now resides in this city, while her parents are too old to come here from Maramag, Bukidnon – a six-hour journey by land.

“I want to make sure that it is my little brother inside. Just last week I was here for two consecutive days just to see him even if just for a little while,” Reyes said.

The family of Private Raymar Carmona did not come, but his remains will be taken to Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte, in Caraga Region, some seven hours away.

Garello, however, assured families the remains inside the caskets are those of their family members.

“It is based on their dental record, and one soldier wrote his name inside his combat boots. That was another proof of identity,” Garello said. – Rappler.com