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 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 officials of local army units, Vestuir gave 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,” Vestuir said in a statement on Monday.
His family also received PHP413,000 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.
Siblings Bernadette and Keisha Marie Batula, aged 13 and 9, survived.
The two children thanked the soldier for his heroism that saved their lives. (PNA)
