Two soldiers die after storm surge destroy barracks

CEBU, Philippines - Two members of the of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Tactical Operations Group (TOG)-8 in Tacloban City were confirmed dead following the destruction caused by super typhoon Yolanda.

This was revealed by Lt. Jim Alagao, Armed Forces of the Philippines-Central Command spokesman, in an interview with The FREEMAN.

He said 21 personnel of the same unit were also injured, with two needing to be airlifted from Tacloban to a hospital at the Mactan Benito Ebuen Air Base in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.

Alagao, however, declined to name the victims while families were not yet informed.

He said the victims, including those who died, were washed out from their barracks, which were just a few meters from the shore. Some members of the soldiers’ families who were with them were also reported missing.

Other victims were hit by debris during a rescue operation in Eastern Samar

“(They were injured) during the operation sa bagyo sa pagtabang na sa mga ((to help the typhoon) victims labi na sa pag-assist atong na-stranded sa ilang balay,” Alagao said, in a telephone interview.

Alagao said all injured personnel would get P50,000 in assistance and commendation for risking their lives just to help the victims of the typhoon.

Also, 17 Cebuanos and nine from Tacloban City injured at the height of the typhoon still remain at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center.           

Claudio Arante Jr., 38, of San Jose, Tacloban City, said he and his family survived even though they got trapped as seawater smashed into their house around 7 a.m. last Friday.

Ernie Delco, Metro Cebu Water District (MCWD) asst. general manager for operations and Arante’s brother-in-law, narrated that his relatives were just inside their house since there was no advisory for evacuation yet.

He said seawater about 10 feet deep suddenly entered Arante’s house.

“Maglisod na sila ug gawas kay (They found it difficult to leave the house because they got) na-trapped na sa sulod.  Pero maayo na lang nga naguba niya  ang pultahan (inside; good thing Arante managed to destroy their door),” Delco told The FREEMAN.

The family then saw a floating refrigerator which they used to stay afloat until they reached the roof of their neighbor.

Arante who suffered injuries in the head and in the body, is being treated at the Chong Hua Hospital.

Delco appealed to the public, private sectors and the government to send more aid to Tacloban City, which was greatly devastated by typhoon Yolanda. (FREEMAN)