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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider 'Walang Iwanan': Tausug heroes, C-130 crash soldiers reunite in hospital

'Walang Iwanan': Tausug heroes, C-130 crash soldiers reunite in hospital

Published Jul 15, 2021 07:48 am

"Kapit" hero Sharief Abridge Abdua and Private Paul Bandalan reunite. (Photo courtesy of Sharief Abridge Abdua/MANILA BULLETIN)

Survivors of the C-130 military plane crash met their Tausug rescuers in what was planned as a surprise reunion in Zamboanga city last Wednesday, July 14.

Erham Awaluddin and militiamen Madzkur Sahibbon and Sharief Abridge Abdua were brought by the Western Mindanao Command to Zamboanga City for the much-awaited meeting with the crash survivors.

Together with Joint Task Force Sulu Commander Maj. Gen. William Gonzales, the young heroes met the military men and felt what they described as mixed feelings.

“Masaya sila nun nakita namin pero nalungkot din pagkatapos,” said 22-year-old laborer Erham Awaluddin, the man photographed carrying an injured soldier in the viral crash photo.

He said the soldiers must have remembered the harrowing experience when their C-130 aircraft crashed in Patikul, Sulu.

“The healing process is quite difficult. They are not just undergoing physical healing but also emotional and psychological hence this is the time to provide them with our all-out support, “ said Maj. Gen. Gonzales.

28-year-old Sharief Abridge Abdua, the man who popularized, “Kapit lang sir, babalik kami,” was recognized immediately by Private Paul Bandalan, the man he rescued.

Laborer Erham Awaluddin and Pfc Ganney Ligayan meet again. (Photo courtesy of Erham Awaluddin)

“Napanood niya ang video namin dalawa. Nagpasalamat sya kasi hindi ko daw sya iniwan,” said Abdua.

Although happy that he saw Bandalan, Abdua said he also felt sad upon learning that some of the survivors who were taken to Zamboanga hospitals expired due to injuries sustained in the crash.

Feelings of sadness were defeated by joy and soon enough, soldiers were posing for photos with their rescuers.

Erham Awaluddin saves a soldier from the C-130 crash in this now iconic photo of courage in the face of danger. (11th Infantry Division photo/MANILA BULLETIN)

“Nagpapasalamat sila hanggang umalis kami,” said Awaluddin.

When asked for an update on the award to be given by the military, Abdua said the happiness of seeing the survivors safe at the hospital is more than any award they can receive.

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