Aquino to give out awards to Robredo searchers, ‘habagat’ rescuers

President Benigno Aquino III. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—President Benigno Aquino will give out awards in Camp Aguinaldo on Wednesday for those who joined the search for the late Secretary Jesse Robredo and those who helped in the rescue efforts at the height of the habagat (southwest monsoon), according to a defense official.

Edgardo Olet, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council operations chief, said on Tuesday Aquino has agreed to be the special guest of honor at the Bakas Parangal Awards ceremony, which would recognize 308 individuals and organizations.

“This is the first time we are giving awards to those who help in our rescue efforts. We seek to promote the endearing Filipino trait of helping others in times of need,” Olet said.

“We aim to draw out the hero in you,” he added.

Olet said the individual awardees included two soldiers who saved the lives of nine persons during the floods in Araneta Avenue, Quezon City, during the southwest monsoon. They will be promoted later.

Olet also said that Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin would also hand out the awards to 100 organizations and 172 heads of organizations that helped during government relief and rescue operations.

Also on Tuesday, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) recognized 13 members of its Special Rescue Unit in the Bicol Region for being the ones who found the fuselage of the plane carrying Robredo after it crashed in Masbate.

BFP Officer-in-Charge and Chief Supt. Ruben F. Bearis, Jr. bestowed the Medalya ng Kadakilaan to Insp. Glenn R. Rodrigueza, FO3 Miguel D. Jaucian, FO1 Erwin O. Tongco, FO1 Mark John V. Conejero, FO1 Kenneth V. Nieva, FO1 Jay-ar F. Santos.

“The team detected the fuselage of the plane…(and despite the)  rough waters, poor visibility, and it was nearing night time, they placed a marker for divers’ verification on the next mission day,” Bearis said.

“Their immediate response and exemplary performance led to the success of the search, rescue and retrieval operation,” he added.

Bearis said FO1 Marvin S Veluz of the BFP-NCR was also given an award after he swam through raging flood waters to rescue a trapped resident in Barangay Sta. Lucia, Novaliches, Quezon City. The rescue was caught on national television.

Bearis said the BFP also recognized FO2 Warren M Orendain, FO1 Nick Anthony L Llarena, FO1 Honesto M Nocete, FO1 Louise Mark Cirunay, FO1 Edward Simon E Gandul, FO1 Yasser M Orogo for their “courageous acts” during the habagat.

“The team, equipped with a fire truck and a rubber boat, rescued more than 100 persons, including an unconscious victim and three pregnant women in the flooded areas (in Quezon City),” he said.

“Their exceptional display of heroism and bravery despite probable danger is truly commendable and worthy of emulation by others in the service,” he added.