MANILA, Philippines – Air Force Maj. Manuel Zambrano was known as the “man of mercy” who flew food and medicine to typhoon victims in Eastern Samar and evacuated Filipinos from war-torn Iraq, and he died ferrying troops to the front in Mindanao.
People trapped in floods in Borongan, Eastern Samar clapped their hands when Zambrano successfully landed a C-130 aircraft loaded with food and medicine on an unpaved airstrip five months ago.
The 39-year-old seasoned military pilot also had to fly a C-130 thousands of kilometers into a war zone to rescue Filipino workers after the US invaded Iraq.
Zambrano also ferried Filipino doctors to help typhoon victims in Myanmar.
He flew medicine and a medical team to help tsunami victims in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
“He died so that others may live,” Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Pedrito Cadungog said.
Last Monday, Zambrano was piloting a C-130 from Davao International Airport when it burst into flames and crashed shortly after takeoff.
The military aircraft had just unloaded Army Scout Rangers from Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija.
Cadungog said while emerging from the aircraft in an airstrip in Borongan, Eastern Samar five months ago, he was moved to see people clapping their hands.
“Local folk clapped their hands out of happiness, lauding Major Zambrano for flying a mercy mission to their place, the first in recent memory,” he said.
“We’ve lost a seasoned pilot and a partner,” according to Maj. Marciano Jesus Guevara, commander of the PAF’s 505th Search and Rescue Group, Second Search and Rescue Squadron based in Mactan Air Base, Cebu.
Guevara said Zambrano devoted most of his time to search and relief operations during calamities, the last of which was in Eastern, Central and Western Visayas in the aftermath of typhoon “Frank” and the sinking of the Princess of the Stars off Romblon.
“Major Zambrano has been flying a C-130 cargo plane ferrying aviation fuel for our helicopter squadron as well as relief goods to Romblon, Capiz and Iloilo,” he said.
“He comes to work early and was often the last man to leave the tarmac, usually in the wee hours of the morning. He supported us in our typhoon Frank search and rescue operations.
“He did these all because of love and dedication to service and country. He is even single.”
Col. Restituto Padilla, a pilot trainor at San Fernando Air Base in Lipa City, said Zambrano was a no-nonsense military pilot who always worked within the parameters of safety.
“Pero magaling talaga siya kasi pag nagkaroon ng problema mid-air, kinakaya niya,” he said.
Padilla said Zambrano safely landed a C-130 with a malfunctioning engine and another one with a burst tire.
“We will be missing a great man,” he said.
“The same goes for his co-pilot Capt. Adrian de Dios who is equally one of our experienced pilots with more than 1,000 flying time under his name.”
Zambrano, an instructor pilot, had a chance to shift to a more lucrative career by flying commercial planes.
However, his sense of mission and love for his military career led him to shun numerous offers to be a commercial pilot.
Logging more than 4,000 hours’ flying time, he continued to devote his time in ferrying combat troops, military supplies, and relief goods to conflict areas.
Zambrano hailed from San Jose, Nueva Ecija.
President Arroyo had awarded him a plaque after being chosen as the PAF’s field officer of the year along with Guevara during the 61st PAF anniversary celebration in Mactan Air Base in Cebu last month. Jaime Laude, Manny Galvez