Victim of Pablo’s wrath: JV extends help to soldier’s family

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — San Juan City Rep. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito Estrada on Thursday (Dec. 20) extended goods and financial assistance to the family of a Negrense soldier who died while being deployed in Compostela Valley during the height of typhoon “Pablo.”

Sergeant Maximo Olivarez, 37, a resident of Brgy. 4 in Moises Padilla town of Negros Occidental, died on Dec. 4 when a landslide hit him and his fellow soldiers.

He was a member of the 66th Infantry Battalion Charlie Company that was dispatched to the far-flung areas of New Bataan town in Compostela Valley to conduct rescue operations, Lt. Col. Lyndon Paniza, spokesman of the 10th Infantry Division, said.

Three other 66th IB soldiers were also killed, and three injured, while eight others were still missing, after their temporary command post was swept away by flashfloods, the military said.

Olivarez is survived by his wife, Perleme, and their daughters, Shyra Marie, 16, and Jade Marie, 2. Perleme is a teacher of Mambaylo Elementary School in Brgy. Quintin Remo of Moises Padilla.

Shyra Marie is a graduating high school student who also dreams of becoming a soldier. The youngest child is still looking for her father every day and would act like she is calling him on the phone.

JV, who is running for senator in the 2013 elections, said he heard about the heroism of Olivarez during the raging typhoon and, in recognition of the soldier’s bravery, the congressman, whose mother Mayor Guia Gomez of San Juan City in Metro Manila, is also a Negrense, sent cash aid and goods for the victim’s family’s Noche Buena.

JV’s gifts to the bereaved family were delivered on his behalf by former 5th District PB Member Enrique Miguel Lacson, whose hacienda in Moises Padilla is adjacent to the residence of the Olivarez family.

“It’s my little way of condoling and sharing the family’s grief and somehow I hope that it eases their pain of losing a loved one,” the solon said in a statement. Perleme and Olivarez’s mother Lydia said they were very thankful for the solon’s generosity.

Upon the arrival of his body to Negros on Dec. 11, Olivarez was given full military honors. Military spokesman Maj. Harry Cabunoc said. Olivarez was not killed in a war, but by the fury of nature.

Olivarez, who had served the Philippine Army for 13 years, is entitled to a Bronze Cross Medal in recognition of his heroism, Cabunoc said, adding that the victim’s family will also get financial aid from the Armed Forces of the Philippines and educational assistance for the children, among others. (FREEMAN)