Bravery of 5 Bulacan rescuers lives on: Marcos

He also extended prayers to their families and vowed to remember their courage and bravery. (File Photo: Bongbong Marcos/Facebook)

MANILA – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Tuesday night paid tribute to the five rescue workers who died in the line of duty in Bulacan province during the onslaught of Typhoon Karding (Noru).

“I am deeply saddened to hear that we lost five good men to Typhoon Karding yesterday [Monday],” Marcos said in his official Facebook account.

He also extended prayers to their families and vowed to remember their courage and bravery.

“Our prayers go to the families of George Agustin, Troy Justin Agustin, Marby Bartolome, Narciso Calayag Jr., and Jerson Resurreccion. Their courage and bravery will live on in our memory,” he added.

Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles, in a separate Facebook post, also honored the five rescuers for their “heroic” sacrifices and extended sympathy to the families, friends, and colleagues.

“Hindi matatawaran ang kanilang ipinakitang sakripisyo na kahit sariling buhay nila ay handang ialay para masagip ang ilan nating mga kababayan na nangangailangan ng tulong. Ang buong bansa ay nagbibigay-pugay sa kanilang kabayanihan (The sacrifice they have shown is priceless, they were ready to risk their own lives to save some of our countrymen who need help. The whole country pays tribute to their heroism),” she said.

On Monday, the provincial government of Bulacan also honored the rescue personnel of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) of Bulacan and dubbed them as heroes.

“Sa ngalan ng Pamahalaang Panlalawigan ng Bulacan at ng ating mga kababayan, ang inyong abang lingkod ay lubos na nakikiramay sa mga pamilyang naulila ng ating mga magigiting na rescue workers na nasawi habang tumutupad ng tungkuling mailigtas ang ating mga kababayan sa gitna ng hagupit ng bagyong Karding (In the name of Bulacan provincial government and our fellow Bulacan natives, I am sending my condolences to the families of our gallant rescue workers, who died while in the line of duty to save people during the onslaught of Typhoon Karding),” said Bulacan Governor Daniel Fernando on Facebook.

“Sila ay kumakatawan sa lahat ng pinakamabubuting katangian ng tunay na Bulakenyo. Ang kaligtasan ng publiko ay higit sa isang trabaho lamang…ito ay isang panawagan ng paglilingkod (They embody the best qualities of true Bulacan natives. Public safety is more than just a job, it’s a call to serve),” he added.

The provincial government has also assured families of the victims of help to defray the costs of the burial as well as the immediate release of their insurance benefits.

Earlier, Bulacan 6th district Representative Salvador Pleyto Sr. filed a resolution expressing the “profound sympathy and sincerest condolences” of the House of Representatives over the death of the five rescuers.

Senators have also paid tribute to the five rescuers in separate resolutions filed by Senators Lito Lapid, Robin Padilla, Bong Revilla Jr., and Joel Villanueva.

Bulacan, Quezon, and Nueva Ecija provinces were among the areas hardest hit by the typhoon which brought heavy rains and winds.

Local authorities said the five rescue workers died after a flash flood swept them while in San Miguel town in Bulacan.

The bodies of the rescuers were later retrieved in the town.