Slain diver hailed as ‘hero of 2 nations’

MANILA, Philippines – To friends and family, slain American diver Matthew Caldwell was a local hero who could have served Filipinos again in rescue missions for the recent shipping disaster in Cebu.

Caldwell was shot pointblank in the face on August 15 allegedly by a security guard in an altercation at the gates of Hamilton Heights subdivision, Las Piñas City, where the victim lived. It was Caldwell’s 59th birthday.

Earlier this week, his loved ones turned his personal Facebook page into the “Justice for Matt Caldwell” tribute site, as the alleged shooter, Ericson Blacquio, remained at large.

In one post, Leo Christian Lumbre hailed him as “a hero of two nations.”

“Patriotic as you have clearly been, you harbored in your heart the level of love for the Philippines that I cannot even glean in all too many Filipinos,” Lumbre said.

“I know that if Matt were alive he would be part of the rescue team and volunteer divers that are searching for survivors and victims of the Philippine ferry disaster [in Cebu],” said Gino Zito David in another post.

Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary (PCGA) member Vanessa Garon-Vandevoort, one of the last persons Caldwell spoke with before he got shot, said her fellow PCGA member “had the heart of a true Filipino.”

In his 34 years in the Philippines, Caldwell participated in technical dives and search, rescue and retrieval operations in sea disasters, like those involving Super Ferry 14 in 2004, MV Princess of the Stars in 2008, MV Catalyn B in 2009, the plane crash in the waters off Masbate province that killed Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo in August last year, and the MV Baleno in January.

Caldwell received a hero’s sendoff in necrological rites held last weekend at Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque City, with a Philippine flag and a PCGA captain’s cap placed on his coffin. His remains were cremated Monday.

The various medals he had earned for his service, as well as a photo showing him in Coast Guard uniform, were also prominently displayed.

“[Captain] Caldwell will be mostly remembered for his love of the Philippines and its people,” the Coast Guard District National Capital Region-Central Luzon said in a statement.

The group described Caldwell as “a very active volunteer and prime asset” and a staunch protector of Philippine coral reefs, who generously provided equipment and supplies to his Filipino counterparts without asking for any compensation.