Farmer’s appeal heard; dead carabao replaced
COTABATO CITY—Former Maguindanao del Sur Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu has donated a carabao to a woman farmer to replace the one she lost after it was hit by an aircraft that crashed on Feb. 6.
The aircraft—a Beechcraft King Air 300 with registration number N349CA—nosedived into a rice farm in Barangay Malatimon, Ampatuan, Maguindanao del Sur, taking the lives of a Marine sergeant and three defense contractors who were on “a routine mission in support of US-Philippine security cooperation activities.”
The carabao owned by farmer Bairada Akang died hours later after the plane hit its snout, according to civil society leader Abdulbasit “Bobby” Benito.
“For Akang, the carabao was more than just an animal; it was her family’s lifeline, her only partner in farming and her family’s primary source of livelihood,” Benito said.
US fatality identified
He added that Akang had earlier appealed for help in replacing the farm animal and fortunately, “her plea did not go unheard.”
“Former Rep. Mangudadatu, upon learning about her situation, wasted no time. He gifted Babu Bairada Akang a female carabao from his herd, ensuring she and her family could begin again.”
Mangudadatu, who is running for provincial governor, did not disclose the amount of his gift to the widowed farmer but it was estimated to cost more than P40,000.
US Marine Corps officials, meanwhile, identified the Marine sergeant who died alongside three defense contractors as Sgt. Jacob M. Durham, a native of California.
An intelligence and electronic warfare specialist, he was part of the 1st Radio Battalion, I Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force.
“We mourn the loss of Sgt. Jacob Durham, who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country,” said Lt. Col. Mabel B. Annunziata, commanding officer of 1st Radio Battalion.
“Sergeant Durham embodied the highest traditions of the Marine Corps—exemplifying composure, intelligence and selfless leadership,” she said.
Durham joined the military service in 2021 and had just been promoted to sergeant five days before the crash. He was a recipient of various awards and decorations, including the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, a Meritorious Mast and Naval Aircrew Insignia.
“The aircraft was providing intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support at the request of our Philippine allies,” the US Marines said.
An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the incident.
US aerospace company Metrea earlier said it had enacted an emergency response plan and was working closely with authorities to establish the cause of the plane crash.
