Rescuers to spend holidays in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan

MANILA, Philippines—What better way to spend Christmas and New Year than to give a part of your self to those who suffered a great loss?

Philippine National Police chief, Director General Nicanor Bartolome said on Friday that police rescuers who were sent to disaster-stricken Cagayan de Oro and Iligan City will have to spend their holidays in the area as retrieval and rehabilitation efforts continue throughout Christmas and New Year.

He said that rescuers from the PNP Maritime Group, Special Action Force and police officers from regions 11 and Caraga were ordered to stay for 10 days, including Christmas day, before they can be relieved by another group which will also work for 10 days, including on January 1.

Police have been conducting retrieval and rescue, relief, clearing and rehabilitation efforts in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan City since last week.

“Yung pulis natin ngayon tumutulong sa paglilinis ng lansangan, pag-clear ng mga debris, pagwawalis at iba pa para maging normal ulit yung buhay sa lugar na dinaanan ng bagyo,” Bartolome said.

As they try to save life, they lost theirs

However, in the course of trying to save a life, the PNP chief said that three police rescuers died.

In earlier interview, Bartolome said that Senior Police Officer (SPO) 1 Charlon Edrote’s body was recovered near the area he was deployed to.

Meanwhile, SPO2 Roque Balestoy has been rescued on Camiguin Island.

“Napakalayo nito sa Cagayan de Oro,” he said.

He said that there are still missing officers, including Police Officer 2 Sandy Labadan.

However, Bartolome said that “this should not dampen the spirit of our policemen,” adding that the fulfillment of a police work can really be met with risks along the way.

“Just like this. In their desire to help, they are the ones being put in danger . . . they were even in their uniforms that time. And for that, we salute our men,” he said in Filipino.

He said that a recommendation for rank promotion for them are being prepared.