Some of the C-130 plane crash survivors happily met and shared light moments with some of the Tausug first responders in a “meet and greet” activity initiated by the 11th Infantry Division at the Camp Navarro General Hospital (CNGH) on Wednesday.
Maj. Gen. William Gonzales, 11th Infantry Division commander, in an interview said they initiated the activity as part of the healing process for the plane crash survivors.
“This is part of the healing process not only for the burn injuries you suffered. The healing process includes the emotional and psychological injuries, which are difficult to heal,” Gonzales said.
Gonzales said they brought along four of the Tausug first responders, a construction worker and three militiamen, who are eager to meet and see the health conditions of the plane crash victims they helped on July 4.
He noted that the first thing the first responders did when they arrived at the crash site was to extend help, unmindful of the dangerous situation.
“Hindi namin inisip yong panganib kahit may mga pumuputok pa na bala. Gusto lang namin tumulong (We did not think of the danger even if we heard ‘exploding’ bullets. We just want to help),” said Erham Awaluddin, a construction worker, who was among the plane crash first responders.
The bullets are from the firearms of some soldiers who were aboard the ill-fated C-130 plane.
“Maraming salamat sa inyo (Thank you very much to all of you),” Pfc. Ganney Ligayan told Awaluddin.
In response, Awaluddin said, “Walang anuman. Ginawa lang naming lahat para makatulong (You’re welcome. We did everything that we can to help)” as he sat beside Ligayan in his hospital bed.
Ligayan is among the 13 soldiers who are recuperating at the Camp Navarro General Hospital in this city.
One of the 13 soldiers tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) and was placed in an isolation ward while the other 12 are at Heroes ward of CNGH.
Ligayan recalled that it was Awaluddin that came to help him, as he could no longer stand up, and took him to a safe distance.
Awaluddin, an aspiring soldier, said he and his companion, who owns a motorcycle rushed to the crash site when they saw the C-130 plane crashed while working on a road concreting project in Barangay Bangkal, Patikul town.
”Isinakay nila kami sa multicab at kami yong unang dumating (We took them to the multicab. We were the first to arrive at the scene),” Ligayan said referring to two other injured soldiers in front of them when Awaluddin helped him stand up.
Shariff Abridge Abduwa, a militiaman, said they helped anyone they managed to pull out from the burning plane when they arrived at the crash site in Sitio Amman, Barangay Bangkal, Patikul.
“Nasa loob ako ng kampo at kakain na sana kami (We were inside the camp and we were about to eat) when we heard an explosion,” said Abduwa, who was one of the 27 militiamen who rushed to the crash site.
The 27 militiamen belong to the 8th Civilian Active Auxiliary Company based at the detachment of Barangay Bangkal, Patikul.
Meanwhile, Gonzales also gave cash assistance to the plane crash survivors during his visit to CNGH.
Gonzales said the cash aid came from the one-day subsistence allowance of 11th Infantry Division troops, including the 4th Marine Brigade, contributed for the plane crash victims.
Source: Philippines News Agency