NABUNTURAN, Davao de Oro— “You’ve done so much!” said Davao de Oro Governor Dorothy M. Gonzaga as she thanked the men and women of the Philippine Army’s 10th Infantry “Agila” Division, 525th Engineer Combat “Mandirigtas” Battalion of 51st Engineer Brigade, Philippine Army (Fiftyfirst EBde), Philippine Army during the send-off ceremony and debriefing on Sunday at the Capitol Building.
“???’?? ???? ?? ????!, I cannot imagine, as I always told your superiors our operations, we achieved so much. We only have 9 missing and we retrieved 98. You left Metro Manila to help us. On behalf of the people of Davao de Oro, the bereaved families and those who were saved, they are so thankful. Happing-happy sila sa mga nagawa nyo, kamin din, kung hindi natin nahanap ang mga bangkay, bcause of your nabunutan din kami ng tinik, kung hindi man na na sole naging magaan, I dont know how to repay your. Hindi namin kayang pantayan or bayaran yong mga nagawa ninyo. But, the most that we can do is, we will always Pray that wherever you are and your families, you will be protected by God’s grace.”
The soldiers were sent to Davao de Oro to help the search, rescue and retrieval operations for the victims in Zone 1, Barangay Masara, Maco, Davao de Oro Masara landslide in February 6, where over a hundred were covered with tons of pyroclastic rocks.
Before the sending-off ceremony, all the contingents underwent a debriefing which provided the soldiers an emotional closure on their humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations which lasted for over a week.
The Governor along with Davao de Oro Representative Ruwel Peter Gonzaga, Provincial Risk Reduction and Disaster Management Office chief Joseph Randy Loy and other health professionals honored the soldiers for their dedication and prowess in helping the community in pain due to the disaster.
As the province continues to recover and rebuild in the aftermath of the disaster, Gonzaga emphasized the importance of continued collaboration and support among all stakeholders.
The officers and men from 525th Engineering Regiment led by . 1st Lt. Jairus John O. Mateo and 1st Lt. Richmond H. Salinding will return to their mother unit in Manila. They were sent by their command in Davao de Oro on February 10.
Congressman Gonzaga thanked the AFP particularly BGen Allan Hambala the division commander of the 10th Infantry Division based in Mawab, Davao de Oro and the officers and men of 1001st Infantry Battalion led by BGen. Ronnie Babac, ground commander Col. Jerry Besana and the AFP’s medical and mental health team.
The Governor personally handed the soldiers a certificate of recognition for their dedication on behalf of he people of Davao de Oro.
As it is now, the soldiers from 10th Infantry Division will remain at ground zero until the completion of their mission to find the nine (9) missing persons.
