Injured fireman receives heroism medal

Interior and Local Government Secretary Angelo Reyes conferred yesterday the Medalya ng Kabayanihan (Medal of Heroism) to one of three Parañaque City firemen who displayed "acts of conspicuous courage and gallantry" in trying to rescue the occupants of a burning house last May 27.

Reyes bestowed the medal to SFO4 Enrique Francisco at the Philippine Orthopedic Hospital where the fireman is being treated for injuries to the spinal column.

Francisco was also promoted to Inspector.

Two other firemen — Senior Inspector Gregorio Elbambo and FO2 Artemio Villalino — will also receive  the Medalya ng Kabayanihan during the flag-raising ceremony at the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) national headquarters in Quezon City on Monday, June 13.

Francisco, Elbambo and Villalino were attempting to rescue the trapped occupants of a burning house at Block 3, Lot 3 of Equity Homes, Barangay San Antonio, Parañaque City, when the floor they were standing on collapsed.

Elbambo and Villalino suffered lacerations.

Two people — Medy Badanguiavi, 25; and Wilma Castañeda, 22 — were trapped to death in the fire that gutted the house owned by one Olivia Batara.

The fire of undetermined origin was reported at around 2 a.m. of May 27 and was put under control after more than an hour, according to fire ground commander Superintendent Leonides Perez.

Damage to property was estimated at P200,000.

Reyes said the three firemen displayed dedication to duty without concern for their own safety when they tried to rescue Badanguiavi and Castañeda. He said the three exemplify the valor and courage of the members of the BFP. – Perseus Echeminada