Flight 585 crash heroes get ‘reward’

The fishermen who saved the lives of the passengers and crew of the ill-fated Laoag International Airlines (LIA) Fokker-27 and the jogger who promptly reported the incident to authorities were given recognition yesterday.

President Arroyo ceremonially handed over two checks, each worth P50,000, as the government’s reward to the family of fishermen who helped rescue the passengers and crew of LIA Flight 585 that crashed in Manila Bay Nov. 11.

Mrs. Arroyo gave the checks to Edgar Naga, 29, and his son, Elorde, 12, and adopted son Rico Cayab-yab, 15, and to Edgar’s older brother, Crispulo Naga, 34. The Nagas all hail from Samar and have been fishermen all their lives. They migrated to Parañaque City when it was still a coastal town in Metro Manila.

The fishermen were the first ones at the crash site on Manila Bay after they saw the LIA plane diving toward the sea at around 6:30 a.m. They were able to rescue 15 of the 34 people on board who survived the plane crash.

No plaques or certificates of appreciation were given to them except for a typewritten note at the back of the two checks, which stated: "Recognition of the Heroic Act of Rescuing Passengers of the Ill-fated Laoag International Airline Flight 585 last Nov. 11, 2002." The checks were from Land Bank of the Philippines.

As a bonus, the Nagas had a brief chat with the President, who later posed with them for a ceremonial photo opportunity at Malacañang’s Music Room.

It was the first time for the fishermen to set foot at Malacañang, although they saw Mrs. Arroyo up close a day after the LIA plane crash when she visited the Philippine Coast Guard. The Naga family were helping Navy divers and frogmen in recovering the bodies of the remaining passengers.

Edgar Naga told The STAR he intends to use the P50,000 to expand the small store adjacent to their house in La Huerta, Parañaque. His wife tends the store to supplement his income as a fisherman for the past 22 years.

He and his son Elorde, who went with him to fish on that fateful morning, were able to rescue three of the women, since their small motorboat could not carry more than that. They sped off to take the women to nearby hospitals for emergency treatment.

Elorde has been helping his father fish after he stopped attending La Huerta Elementary School when he was in Grade 5. He had been skipping class just to play computer games to which he is "addicted."

Crispulo Naga of Tambo, Parañaque told The STAR that he will use the P50,000 for the education of his children, two boys and girl.

"Pakiramdam naming sa binigay na pabuya ng Pangulo ay malaking bagay ito para sa aming pamilya (This will go a long way in helping our family)," he said.

For several days since the LIA plane crash, they have not been able to go fishing because the Coast Guard asked them to help in recovering the plane, Crispulo said.

That is why, he added, he was heartened to learn from his wife that the President will given them a financial reward. An official from the Presidential Management Staff came looking for them in Parañaque last Monday while they were out attending the Mass for the plane crash victims.

The muscular Crispulo said he was the one who swam to the plane while it was still afloat to assist the people inside to get out.

He said he first saw the LIA pilot, whom he later knew was Capt. Bernie Crisostomo, assisting passengers out of the plane. The fisherman then led the passengers to four or five fishing boats of other fishermen who came to help.

While he could not recall how many people he was able to save, Crispulo said the last passenger he was able to pull out of the plane was Australian. When he turned to get some people, the plane started to sink fast.

He said it took about 15 minutes before the plane sank beneath the murky waters of Manila Bay.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jose Lina presented Rubenal Cabanlong with a plaque of appreciation for his presence of mind in promptly calling the Patrol 117 hotline, which resulted in the immediate arrival of rescuers at the crash site, which prevented the loss of more lives.

"This is undoubtedly a heroic deed that must be recognized if only to serve as a shining example that civilians can do their part to save lives during emergencies and similar situations," Lina said.

Cabanlong is a subpoena server of the Parañaque city government.

According to Police Senior Superintendent Filipino Amoguis, Patrol 117 director, Cabanlong was jogging in the early morning of Nov. 11 when he saw the LIA plane crashing into the waters of Manila Bay.

Cabanlong dialed 117 on his cellular phone and reported the incident to a 117 operator codenamed Vista, who flashed the alarm to various law enforcement and fire stations along Manila Bay.

"Within five minutes a rescue operation center was set up along the Macapagal Highway near the Senate, which served as the command and control area of the ongoing search and rescue conducted by the Coast Guard," Amoguis said.

He added that Cabanlong, along with 787 other people who called Patrol 117 to report an emergency, automatically became a candidate for the Patrol Heroes Award to be given next year.

"The Patrol Heroes Award is accorded to a person who reported a crime or emergency situation to Patrol 117 which resulted in early response and prevention of further loss of lives," Amoguis said.

Lina also commended Fire Senior Superintendent Rash Roque of the Manila Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) for immediately mobilizing various emergency medical and rescue units and setting up a rescue command post, which served as the nerve center for the search and rescue operation.