Carabao owner, other Maguindanao residents affected in February plane crash compensated by US Embassy

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews / 10 December) — The United States Embassy has compensated three residents in Ampatuan, Maguindanao del Sur — including the owner of the carabao that died — 10 months after a small plane conducting intelligence operations crashed in a farm in the area.

The airplane with body number N349CA that crashed in Ampatuan, Maguindanao del Sur. Photo from the Facebook page of Jho Upam

Brig. Gen. Edgar Catu, 601st Infantry Brigade (IB) commander, said in a statement posted on the 601IB’s Facebook page that representatives from the US Embassy handed last Monday the undisclosed cash assistance to those affected by the crash.

The cash assistance was turned over at the 601IB headquarters in Barangay Kamasi, Ampatuan to the beneficiaries identified as Bainola Akan, Ali Lakiman and Basit Akan.

Bainola owns the carabao that was hit by the plane during its crash landing, Basin is the land owner, and Lakiman farms the rice field at the time of the incident.

Lakiman thanked the US government for the assistance extended to them.

“This support will greatly help our families recover from the damage caused by the incident. We appreciate your response, sincerity, and continued commitment to our community,” Lakiman was quoted as saying by the 601IB’s Civil Military Office (CMO).

Catu also lauded the US Embassy for its support to the affected individuals.

“Your commitment to addressing the needs of the community [as a result of] the incident demonstrates the strength of our partnership and our shared dedication to humanitarian assistance,” he said.

Brig. Gen. Edgar Catu with US Embassy representatives and the local representatives at the 601st Infantry Brigade headquarters. Photo courtesy of 601IB

“We value this cooperation and look forward to continuing our efforts in promoting peace, development, and resilience in our area of responsibility,” he added.

On February 6 this year, an aircraft contracted by the US Department of Defense crashed in Barangay Malatimon, Ampatuan, killing all four crew members on board — Marine Sgt. Jacob M. Durham and three defense contractors.

The aircraft was providing intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance support reportedly at the request of the Philippines. The incident occurred during a routine mission in support of US-Philippine security cooperation activities, the US Indo-Pacific Command said in a statement following the incident.

Sherad Malang, chairperson of Barangay Malatimon, and CMO head Maj. Saber Balogan witnessed the turnover of the cash assistance. (Bong S. Sarmiento / MindaNews)