PASIG CITY, (PIA) -- The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) observed a week-long national solemnity that culminated in an interfaith memorial service over the weekend to honor and recognize the services of 49 soldiers killed in the crashed C-130 aircraft.

“We are giving the highest tribute we can offer, to our comrades who made the ultimate sacrifice. We bear upon our shoulders the sacred responsibility of remembering their resolute faith and passion as they sought to fulfil their sworn mandate to protect and serve the Filipino people,” said AFP Vice Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Erickson Gloria who led the activity.

Military priests, pastors and Imams officiated the memorial service held at the AFP General Headquarters (GHQ) Canopy in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

In attendance were Joint and Personal Staff, Officers and Military Personnel in GHQ who all wore black mourning bands around the sleeve of their uniform in observation of the mourning period.

Calls to prayers and sound of bells rung were heard in honor of the fallen soldiers.

After the service, the AFP Vice Chief led the wreath-laying ceremony at the Heroes Memorial in Camp Aguinaldo which was followed by the flag retreat and the 21 volleys of gun fire. 

The military honors and ceremonies were synchronously conducted in Major Services headquarters, Unified Commands headquarters, and selected Major Units of the AFP nationwide.

The next of kin and relatives of the deceased were invited to the nearest military camps to join the ceremonies.

Local Chief Executives from the victims’ hometowns were also invited to mourn with the AFP during the time of national solemnity.

The mourning period started on July 5, a day after the incident transpired in Sulu which was observed by flying the National Flag at half-mast in all military camps.

“Our comrades-in-arms should never die in vain. I therefore implore every member of the AFP to carry on with the fight for a peaceful and progressive Philippines. Together, let us solemnly salute each of our fallen heroes for their unrivalled sacrifices for the country,” Lieutenant General Gloria said (AFP/PIA-NCR)