SACRIFICE. Brig. Gen. Noel Vestuir, commander of the Army’s 802nd Infantry Brigade awards a medal to a soldier who died while saving two children from drowning in Borongan City, Eastern Samar. He was honored for his unselfish act of sacrificing his life to save the children. (Photo courtesy of Philippine Army)
TACLOBAN CITY — The Philippine Army has honored and awarded a bronze cross medal to a soldier who died while saving two kids from drowning in Borongan City, Eastern Samar.
Brig. Gen. Noel Vestuir, commander of the Army’s 802nd Infantry Brigade, led the awarding of the medal on Sunday to the late Technical Sgt. Samuel Garbo in honor of sacrificing his life to save two children on April 8 in Locsoon village.
Accompanied by other key Army officials, Vestuir presented the award to Garbo’s family at his wake in Giporlos, Eastern Samar. “His act of courage and willingness to help others unmindful of his safety embodies the ideals of a true warrior and exemplifies the finest tradition of Filipino soldiery,” he said in a statement.
Garbo’s family also received P413,000 Special Financial Assistance (SFA) extended by the office of Lt. Gen. Roy Galido, commander of the Philippine Army. The family also received financial assistance from other institutions.
Garbo and his friends were at a resort in Borongan City when he saw two kids being swayed by big waves. Unmindful of the danger, the soldier grabbed the kids and pushed them near the shore for safety. He passed out while attempting to walk from the waves.
The two kid, siblings Bernadette and Keisha Marie Batula, aged 13 and 9, survived. They gratefully thanked the soldier for his heroism that saved their lives. (PNA)
