06/11/2024
Batangas honors rescuer who lost 7 family members to Kristine
https://news.abs-cbn.com/regions/2024/11/6/batangas-honors-rescuer-who-lost-7-family-members-to-kristine-1344
The provincial government of Batangas recognized a rescuer who saved many lives in the town of Balete, but tragically lost seven members of his family in a flash flood during the onslaught of severe tropical storm Kristine in late October.
Edwin Mendoza, a rescuer from the Balete Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), received a plaque of recognition and P150,000 from Batangas Governor Hermilando Mandanas.
"Nagpapasalamat po ako kay governor sa kanilang iginawad na pagkilala sa akin. Sa pito kong nawalang mahal sa buhay, wala po katumbas na halaga," Mendoza said Wednesday.
Mendoza’s father, three siblings, two nephews, and his brother-in-law died in the flood that swept through the island of Sitio Siaten in Barangay San Sebastian.
Only the body of Mendoza's 84-year-old father, Sulpicio, has been recovered so far.
The floodwaters swept away the Mendoza family home, with part of it found 60 feet deep in Taal Lake.
Divers and rescuers have searched Taal Lake but have so far failed to locate six missing family members.
After more than two weeks, Mendoza decided to halt the search for his missing loved ones.
"Kaya nagdesisyon na ako na i-pull out ang mga rescuer dahil gusto ko mag-umpisa na ang mga kapatid ko na makapag-move on dahil sila ay mararaming anak na umaasa sa kanila," Mendoza said.
"Naaawa na rin po ako sa mga rescuer dahil ipinakita nila sa akin ang talagang dibdiban pagsuporta, halos sabi ko nga para nang kamag-anak ninyo ang hinahanap ninyo dahil lumampas na sila sa kanilang limit ng trabaho nila" he added.
When the flash flood occurred in Sitio Siaten, Mendoza was in another barangay, busy rescuing many residents trapped in the floodwaters.
“Nagre-rescue ako ng mga tao para sila ay ilikas at dalhin sa ligtas na lugar pero ang isipan ko andoon ang kaba ko na ang pamilya ko ano ba ang nangyayari sa pamilya ko hanggang sa kinabukasan na dumating na sa akin ang balita,” Mendoza said.
However, while conducting rescue operations, Mendoza felt something odd and asked the head of the MDRRMO if he could return to their island. He was not allowed to go back due to dangerous conditions caused by the large waves in Taal Lake.
Mendoza called his father and siblings several times and ordered them to evacuate, but they did not comply.
He said he was not blaming anyone, but he wished he could have done more to convince his father to evacuate, as the tragedy could have been avoided.
"Kung mayroon man pagkukulang , siguro po ay ako. Hindi ko rin naman masyado masisi ang sarili ko dahil may trabaho ako. Kapag sasagi sa isip ko yung sinabi ng kapatid ko na kasama sa landslide na sinabi niya na, ‘Kung ikaw ang andidito baka sakaling making sa iyo ang tatay,’" Mendoza said tearfully.
“Sa kabila ng ikaw ay naglilingkod sa mga kababayan, na gusto mo makatulong sa pagliligtas ng buhay ng iba, napakasakit ng nangyari sa buhay ng pamilya ko na hindi ko sila natulungan,” he added.
Mendoza's father reportedly could not evacuate because he was concerned about the condition of one of his siblings who has a disability.
"Hindi naman kami nag kulang ng abiso, yung tatay ko kaya hindi makaalis may kapatid ako na PWD, yung tatay ko naman hindi naman iwanan ng aking ibang kapatid,” Mendoza said.
By the time his father decided to evacuate, it was already too late as the floodwaters had rushed down from the mountains.
As a member of the Balete MDRRMO rescue team, Mendoza never expected that the ones he would be searching for in the rubble would be his own family.
Mendoza reminded residents to heed authorities' evacuation orders to prevent such tragedies.
“Sana sa ganitong may mga kalamidad na parating maging alisto. Hanggat maaga, pumunta na kayo sa safe na lugar, kung maaari huwag na ninyong hintayin yung abiso,” Mendoza advised.
