1. Plane Crash in the Metro
I don’t know what came over the pilot of a Mindoro-bound cargo plane (Queen airplane with RPC-824) when it crashed into a slum and a portion of a school area in Better Living, Paranaque killing 13 individuals, wounding several others, and burning down several houses of at least 100 familes, including some school buildings. There were also reports of missing persons. Most of the fatalities were from the residents that were caught by surprise of the plane crash.
Philippine Red Cross (PRC) secretary general Gwen Pang said that its pilot requested an emergency landing shortly after take-off but did not manage to return to the airport. PNP spokesman Chief Supt. Agrimero Cruz said witnesses saw the plane burst into flames on impact. Firefighters from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and Text Fire Philippines (TFP) quickly responded to the scene. PRC Emergency Rescue Units (ERUs) also gave medical assistance to survivors.
DepEd Secretary Armin Luistro and other officials were immediately on the scene. He personally assisted a young student who was rushed to the Makati Medical Center to get treatment. The child got second-degree burns while trying to save another child, who unfortunately died later on.
DoTC Secretary Manuel Roxas III suspended all aircrafts operated by the ATI while an investigation is ongoing. The aircraft was said to be owned by a certain Capt. Fidel Hembrador.
A team headed by Capt. Amado Soliman from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), retrieved the plane’s engine and will check plane and pilot records to help determine the cause of the crash.
Paranaque Mayor Florencio Bernabe Jr. estimates the cost of repairs to the F. Serrano Elementary School will amount to approximately 38 million pesos. However, repairs and reconstruction of the damaged school property may have to begin next year. The students of the said school would have to take an early Christmas break also and their classes will resume on January 3 instead. Meanwhile, Bernabe said the city government will help the informal settlers rebuild their homes.
Because of several fatalities, wounded, students missing school days, and damage to property and lost of their houses caused by the accident, plus the unfortunate timing of the disaster happening so near the Christmas season, the residents of “Better Living” are thinking of changing their location name to “Better Dead”.
Huling Hirit/Final Note:
“The plane fell on her because she went to the area to look for her child. Of so many places, it had to fall here.” – Junjie Rodriguez, relative of a victim
“Good thing it was a Saturday. Imagine what a bigger tragedy it would have been had it been a weekday and children were in school” – Jimboy Valenzuela, witness at the plane crash
“God hears and He sees, and you are not alone in your struggles. Remain firm and stable for God has your deliverance planned” – Joyce Meyer
Back to Total Lunar Eclipse
https://bekindtoustrolls.wordpress.com/2011/12/12/total-lunar-eclipse/
Pinoy Alert ! 