Soldiers turn over P90,000 cash found in retrieval site

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

TWO soldiers from the 32nd Division Reconnaissance Company of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division turned over P90,000 cash found in the retrieval site of quake-hit Barangay Solonggon, La Libertad, Negros Oriental.

Privates Danny Faigane and Marlon Vera who found the money were part of the retrieval teams assigned in La Libertad following the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that hit Negros and Cebu islands last February 6.

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Faigane and Vera at once informed First Lieutenant Gerald Deles, commanding officer of 32DRC, of the money found in the retrieval site Monday morning.

“Knowing that said money is badly needed especially during this time of calamity, we immediately looked for the owner of the house where we found the money,” said Deles.

After the money was turned over, Vera was immediately rushed to the brigade headquarters for immediate treatment as he sustained wound in his right hand from a galvanized iron during the ongoing retrieval efforts. He underwent eight stitches of minor surgery and is currently recuperating.

Virginia Callora, owner of the money, could not hide her joy upon receiving back the money and expressed gratitude to the two soldiers.

Major General Jose Mabanta, 3ID commander, also commended both Faigne and Vera for their honesty and said the Army will continue the retrieval operations, which they have been doing for the past seven days, amid dim hope of finding more survivors.

Last Sunday, the team retrieved the body of 84-year-old Elizabeth Zalafa of Solonggon, while members of the 11th Infantry Battalion recovered Asorio Mahinay’s body Monday noon at the landslide area of Planas village.

Likewise, the Army’s 542nd Engineer Construction Battalion was instrumental in clearing the road toward Barangay Planas in La Libertad on February 11. The road clearing paved the way for relief operations to be brought to quake-affected victims.

On Sunday, the national road in quake-hit La Libertad and Guihulngan City is already passable for vehicles. All roads going to the landslide villages of Solonggon and Planas could now be used by motorists.

However, there are portions in Jimalalud town that remain isolated and not accessible for relief operations.

As of Tuesday noon, two UH-1H helicopters from the Philippine Air Force were dispatched to Barangay Owakan in Jimalalud to deliver relief goods.

As of 6 p.m. of February 12, records from the Negros Oriental Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council showed 42 earthquake-related fatalities.

Of the number, 17 are in Guihulngan; nine in La Libertad; eight in Jimalalud; three in Tayasan; two in Manjuyod; two in Ayungon; and one in Bindoy.

The PDRRMC said around 60 persons remain missing due to landslides. (PIA)