Tragic as it my be, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said Tuesday, Sept. 27, that search and rescue teams should learn lessons from the death of five rescuers in San Miguel, Bulacan while trying to save lives amid the onslaught of Super Typhoon "Karding."
Adm. Artemio Abu, PCG Commandant, condoled with the families of George Agustin, Narciso Calayag Jr., Troy Justin Agustin, Jerson Resurreccion, and Marby Bartolome, all members of the Bulacan provincial disaster risk reduction and management office (PDRRMO) rescue team.
"Kinikilala po namin ang kanilang sakripisyo para sa kaligtasan ng mga apektadong pamilya at bilang paglilingkod sa sambayanang Pilipino (We recognize their sacrifices to save the affected families and their service to the Filipino people)," Abu said in a statement.
"Bilang mga first responders, alam ng mga kababaihan at kalalakihan ng PCG ang sakripisyong kalakip ng pagtupad sa kanilang sinumpaang tungkulin sa bayan (As first responders, the men and women of PCG also know the sacrifices entailed in the fulfillment of their sworn duty to the nation)," he added.
In a separate news briefing, PCG spokesperson Commodore Armando Balilo, said that Coast Guard rescue personnel draw inspiration to the commitment of the Bulacan rescuers to fulfill their duties even if it means offering their lives.
"Nasa frontline din kami. Tinitignan natin kung ano ang makikita nating lessons para maiwasan natin ang maaring maging circumstances na kahalintulad sa nangyari sa kanila (We are also in the frontline. We are looking at the lessons here to prevent a repeat of circumstances like what happened to them)," Balilo said.
The rescuers were conducting rescue operations to save stranded residents in Brgy. Camias when a sudden flash flood sent a wall to collapse on their boat on Sunday night, Sept. 25.
The rescuers, who only transferred to the boat because of a defect in their truck, were swept away by strong water current, and it was only the following morning that their bodies were found in separate areas in the village.
Tributes poured in on social media for their heroism while a Senate resolution was filed to give the highest commendation to the killed Bulacan rescuers.