DAVAO CITY – Six doctors and a nurse here were deployed to Zamboanga City at 11:50 a.m. Monday, July 5, to provide assistance in the treatment of soldiers injured in the C-130 aircraft crash in Patikul, Sulu last Sunday that killed 47 military personnel and three civilians.
Mayor Sara Duterte said here during her program over Davao City Disaster Radio (87.5) that the team of volunteer health workers came from the government-run Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) in this city.
She said the city government of Davao was extending support to Zamboanga as a sister city and that it was constantly communicating with the Zamboanga city government to ask how it could help.
Ninety-two soldiers were on board the ill-fated C-130 aircraft which was bound for Jolo, Sulu from Cagayan de Oro City.
Duterte said the city government of Davao offered its deepest condolences to the families of those who perished in the plane crash.
She said the Philippine flag would be flown at half-mast here from July 5 to July 9 in honor of those who died in the tragedy.
“We are also offering our prayers to the survivors. May you find strength and comfort in the millions of Filipinos who share your grief and pain,” she added.
Duterte said the volunteer doctors have arrived in Zamboanga City and will be taken care of by Mayor Beng Climaco for the entire duration of their mission there.
According to Climaco, the team composed of burn specialists and surgeons also brought medical supplies needed for the patients.
They are Dr. James David and Dr. Kent Antolin, emergency medicine specialists; Dr. Ali Pendaliday, an orthopedic specialist; Dr. Jikko Superioridad, a general surgeon; Dr. Kalvin Estañero, an anaesthesiologist; Dr. Marvie Aguro, neurosurgeon; and nurse Aljimar Kahal.
Duterte said that sending volunteer medical doctors to Zamboanga City will not hamper the efforts of this city to address the COVID-19 crisis because the frontline health workers who are attending to the infected patients are internal medicine doctors and infectious disease specialists.
Duterte said that she was informed that some of the 50 soldiers who perished in the crash came from Davao but it remains unclear if they are residents of this city or other provinces of this region.
“It’s better to wait for the list from the Armed Forces of the Philippines and give them enough time to notify the families,” she said.