Republic of the Philippines
NATIONAL POLICE COMMISION
Philippine National Police
CAPAS POUCE STATiON Capas,Tarlac
10 August 2009
RON. REYNALOO L CATACUTAN Municipal Mayor
Capas, Tarlac
Dear Sir:
Submitting herewith copy of Special Report Re: Conduct of Disaster Search and Rescue Operation in Flooded Brgy Sta Luoia and to Reported Missing Foreign National in Mt. Pinatubo Crater.
Republic of the Philippines
NATIONAL POLICE COMMISSION
Philippine National Police
CAPAS POLlCE STATION
MEMORANDUM
:THE PROVINCIAL DIRECTOR
Tarlac Police Provincial Office
Camp Macabulos, Tarlac City
: Special Report re: Conduct of disaster search and Rescue Operation in Flooded Brgy. Sta Lucia and to Reported Missing "Foreign Nationals in Mt. "Pinatubo Crater
: August 8, 2009
1. References:
a) Telephone call from HON MAYOR REYNALDO CATACUTAN this municipality dated 061700H August 2009 re above cited subject.
b) Text messages from from Brgy Chairman of Brgy. Sts Lucia and Brgy Sta Juliana on or about 061715 August 2009 re same sub.iect.
c) Blotter Entry Nrs 3100, 3104 and 3109 dated 07 August 2009 and 08 August 2009.
2. At about 061720H, upon receiving the information of flooding in Brgy Sta Lucia, this
municipality from MAYOR REYNALOO CATACUTAN, the undersigned immediately informed PSSUPT RUDY G LACAI)IN DPA, PROVINCIAL DIRECTOR TPPO about the current situation in AOR, formed the DISASTER RELIEF AND RESCUE OPERATIONS team and coordinated to the members of the OFFICE OF THE MAYOR, MDCC. I.AD PA, TRADOC PA and RURAL HEALTH UNIT, reaching barangay Sta Lucia at around l8OOH same date the team started controlling the crowd, stranded near the bridge due to strong current of floodwaters about five feet (5) high brought by heavy rains which isolated Brgys STA. LUCIA, PATLING, MARUGLU, BUENO AND STA. JULIANA going to CAPAS POBLACION proper.
3. The team initially deployed available personnel to clear the bridge of rubbles and garbage
swept by floodwaters, evacuated/transferred twenty 20 families numbering to 145 to STA LUCIA HIGH SCHOOL, assisted by female PNCOs of this office, DSWD and Brgy officials where relief goods were distributed.
4. Around 061900H, floodwaters subsided to three (3) feet. In depth, the team utilized 4x4
Vehicles and military trucks, in transporting stranded victims crossing STA LUCIA Bridge while Joint Personnel of CAPAS PS. 69TH ,3RD MTB. LAD.TRADOC PA with the baranggay officials and local villagers started clearing the bridges from rubbles. The Floodwaters subsided at around 061920ft. the team together with MAYOR CATACUTAN then proceeded to PDC, STAJULIANA BASE, Brgy Sta Juliana.
5.Reaching Brgy Sta Julina at around 061940H, MAYOR CAT ACUTAN, the undersigned LTC
GILBERT I GAPAY CAV (GSC) PA, G3 LAD LTC JOSE D CAPARAS JR., CAV(GSC)PA, CO 3RD MECHANIZED INFANTRY BN, LAD PA members of Sta. Juliana brgy. Official headed by Brgy. Capt. SALVADOR DELOS REYES, MR. CARMELITO SUPAN, General Manager PDC, local villagers and tour guides conducted a coordinating conference to plan and synchronize efforts of search and rescue operations on the trapped/ stranded three (3) KOREAN NATIONALS and nine (9) FRENCH and BELGIAN NATIONALS on their way back from their trek in MT. PINATUBO CRATER board three (3) 4x4 vehicles.
6. Based on the registration sheets accomplished by the foreigners at POC. Sf A JULIANA BASE dated 060700H August 2009, the first group ot' K.OREAN NATIONALS identified as CHUNG YANG HUA and HAN SANY departed at around 060730H on board 4x4 vehicle driven by: MARK TABAOO with their local tour guide identified as SOL LUNDANG, And around 060735H,the second group of foreign trekkers departed from PDC STA. JULIANA BASE composed of nine (9) FRENCH an d BELGIAN NATIONALS identified as HELENE DIANA RODJOU,BEATRICE LE GUYADER, DIDIEV BIAZIN,PHILIPPE NAVARRE,PHILIPPE GUINEBERT, MARIE FRANCE FOLCHARD, MARTINE CHOLET, THIERRY CAJLLOT and WALTER STEYLEMAN on board two (2) 4x4 vehicles driven by JAYCEE MANALO and RUSSEL CANLAS accompanied by SILVER CAPIENDO and ORDONO FERNANDO, local tourist guide respectively.
7. Coordinating conference for the planned synchronizes and unified search and rescue efforts resulted to the initial employment local searchers/rescuers to locate/reach the stranded/missing tourist across the ODONNELL River along the route leading to MT PINATUBO CRATER. With ready to eat meals and water for the victims composed of two (2) baranggay Tanods and two (2) local villagers equipped with portable/handheld radios dispatched at around 062130H same date.
8. At about 0704301t. August 2009, the search and rescue team headed the MAYOR CATACUTAN proceeded to the 600th ABW Detachment PAF and established the ADVANCE COMMAND POST thereat, another fifty four (54) local villagers and ba.rangay officials by Brgy Capt SALVADOR DELOS REYES were deployed in line formation to search for the missing tourists in different locations and at around 070630H the team received reports tbat cadaver of a female foreigner with her left arm and right limb missing/amputated later identified as (1) MARTIN CHOLET, 53 yo, (DOB: 20 April 1956) French national, resident of 611, ORMES-TIRMON 60240, PREFNEAUX MONTCHEVREUL, FRANCE was discovered lifeless on th riverbanks vicinity SO DALIG, BRGY STA. JULIANA, transported/carried by the local search team, they reached the ACP around 070745 and later the right limb was recovered in SO SAN MARCOS, BRGY. STA. JULIANA Cadaver of the victim was brought to FUNERARIA MALLARI, capas tarlac for proper disposition. At 070645H, another cadaver was reported to PCP 3 and recovered along the river banks in the vicinity of the NEW ASIA GOLF COURSE, SO SAN AGUSTIN, BRGY. PATLING CAPAS, identified as (2) ARMANDO BACANI resident of BRGY. PATLING, CAPAS and was transported to FUNERARIA AGUINALDO CAPAS.
9. At around 07080 another male cadaver was discovered by the search and rescue along the riverbanks vicinity SO DALIG, BRGY. JULIANA transported by foot to the ACP and arrived at 070830H who was later identified as FREDERICK REYLA Y MALEGRITO, 46 yo, Brgy. Tanod of brgy. Sta. Juliana ,one of the deployed advance search and rescue team at about 062130H from PDC STA. JULIANA BASE.
10. At around 070900H,HON. VICTOR YAP, GOVERNOR, TARCLAC PROVINCE, PSSUPT RUDY G. LACADIN PROVINCIAL DIRECTOR TPPO and STAFF, HON JECI LAPUS, REPRESENTATIVE 3RD DISTRICT TARLAC, MR. JUN PARAS, PROVINCIAL CHAIRMAN PNRC arrived at the ADVANCE COMMAND POST (ACP) and were brief initially of the current situation and ongoing efforts of search and rescue operations, MAYOR CATACUTAN likewise requested the PHILIPPINE AIR FORCE based in CLARK AIR BASE , PAMPANGA the availability of a military helicopter to be utilized in the speedy and unhampered search and rescue operations for the other missing victim and tapped the resources of the CAPAS 4X4 WHEELERS CLUB to join the team with their vehicles in scouring the area.
11. The three KOREAN NATIONALS (CHUNG, HUA AND SANY), together with their driver and local tour guide were safely rescued at around 070930H in PINATUBO HOT SPRING and were transported to their billeting area in CLARK AIR BASE after medical attention/checkup at 071130H, MARIE FRANCE FOUCHARD,(DOB: 15 JUNE 1955) 54 yo, French national, resident of 14 BOULEVARD, SERURIER 75019 PARIS FRANCE together with her local guide identified as SILVER CAPIENDO, native of barangay sta. Juliana, capas tarlac were safely rescued from their location is SOo SETTLER BRGY. STA. JULIANA and were airlifted back to ACP then brought to CENTRAL LUZON DOCTORS HOSPITAL, Tarlac city for medical treatment at around 071154H, another cadaver of a foreigner was recovered in SO SAN MARCOS,BRGY STA. JULIANA later identified as (4) THIERRY CAILLOT, French N ational, 49 yo (DOB: 27 October 1959) resident of 29 CRUE DES PETINENTS,BLANCS 87000 LIMOGES FRANCE, his remains was airlifted back to ACP and brought to FUNERARIA MALLARI, Capas, Tarlac, the body of (5) residing in BRUSSELS BELGIUM was discovered lifeless in the vicinity of Sapang Malibi, Brgy. Sta. Lucia at around 071230H and was brought initially LOTUS FUNERARIA in Tarlac City then later transferred to FUNERARIA MALLARI, Capas Tarlac and the cadaver of another local tourist guide identified as (6) ORDONO FERNANDO Y GOROSE, 39 I yo, married 8Dd resident of Bray Sta Juliana was nlCOvered in So Taliktik. Bray Sea Juliana at about 01U18H ,airlifted back to ACP &his; remains wtl$ hrought to FUNERARIA AGUINALDO Capas, Tarlac.
12. Five other French nationals were also safely rescued in So Taliktik Brgy 8ta Juliana later idenlified completely thru information and data provided by MR RAY AR ARNAUG1 CONSUL, FRENCH EMBASSY based in Makati Cityas HELEN DIAGA RADJOU 43 yo,(DOB: 11 MAY 1966) from 9 RUE DE HOTEL DE VILLE, 93430, VILLETANEUSE,FRANCE,BEATRICE LE GUYADER,43 yo,(DOB: 21 FEBRUARY 1966) from 10 RUE MATHILDE GIRAULT 92300, LEVALLAOIS PERRET,FRANCE, DIDIER BAZIN, 48 yo,(DOB: 19 May 1961) From 14 INTASSE DE LAVERRERIE, 69310 PIERRE BENITE, FRANCE, PHILIPPINE NAVARRE, 53 yo,(DOB: 03 MARCH 1956) from 72 QUAL DUPOINT DUJOUR,92100,BOULOGNE,FRANCE and PHILIPPE GUNIBERT, 50 yo ( DOB: 06 February 1959) from 71 INTASSE DE FERME DUVOIS VILLECHIEN 50180 AGNEAUX FRANCE . The group was transported back to the ACP and were rushed to the CENTRAL LUZON DOCTORS HOSPITAL in Tarlac City on board the RHU municipal ambulance for further medical attention and were assisted by GOV. VICTOR A. YAP wherein PHILIPPE GUINEBERT was later transferred to ORTIGAS MEDICAL CENTER IN MAKATI due to fracture and severe injuries and the others were transported back to FIESTA GARDEN HOTEL in Angeles City.
13. SOCO Team from Tarlac Provincial Crime Laboratory Office led by PSI MA ELVIRA BAUTISTA together with PCI REYNALDO DAVE, Medico legal officer, RCLO 3 arrived at around 071000H and assisted the investigators of this office in the lifting of finger prints and POST MORTEM examination on the cadavers then left at around 071430H.
14. Intel and Inves team proceeded to CLDH and conducted follow up investigations and the six (6) FRENCH nationals who survived the tragedy narrated that they arrived in the PHILIPPINES las 03 August 2009 and stayed in MAKATI for (1) day, they went to Taal lake in BATANGAS, traveled to Angeles City and stayed in FIESTA GARDEN HOTEL , located at J Gonzales boulevard, AC and at around 06030H they were picked up by JAYCEE MANALO QUILALA 23 YO, AND RUSSEL CANLAS SAMSON 23 yo, both resident of barangay Sapang Bato, AC 4X4 vehicle drivers and transported the group to PDC STA JULIANA BASE, Brgy. Sta Juliana, Capas.
15. The three (3) KOREAN NATIONAl,S left PDC after registration at around 060730H fol1owed by the nine (9) FRENCH and BELGIAN NATIONALS on board separate 4x4 vehicle at around 060735H to MT. PINATUBO CRATER via SKYWAY route.
16. The Survivors further narrated that the weather is good when they reach “QUADRA” where they have their stop over at 060900H then started their trek with their local tour guides and reached PINATUBO CRATER at 061100H. Few minutes later, rains started pouring down heavily and the group decided to trek back reaching QUADRA at 061200H, boarded their 4x4 vehicles traveled back to PDC STA JULIANA BASE.
17. At 061400H. the group reached the river and according to BEATRICE LE GUYADER, one of the survivors. the driver pushed thru in crossing the river but their vehicle stopped/stuck thereat and the passengers triod to cross by foot where they were caught by strong current of rumbling floodwaters and were swept away, the passengers of the other 4x4 vehicles managed to climb to safety reaching higher grounds.
18. The driver, JAYCEE MANALO and RUSSEL CANLAS further narrated that on the morning of 060630H August 2009, they fetched the nine (9) foreign nationals at FIESTA GARDEN HOTEL, in Angeles City and reached PDC STA JULIANA BASE at 060700H and left at around 060730H after their registration, reaching “QUADRA” at around 060900H and the group together with their local tourist guides started trekking to MT. PINATUBO CRATER and returned at 061200H, the two drivers advised the foreign tourists to go back to PDC STA JULIANA BASE due to rains and upon reaching the vicinity So CALUT, STA JULIANA SKYWAY, they tried to cross the river assessing that the water is still shallow, but their vehicles stopped/stuck in the middle, decided to bring their passengers in higher grounds for safety, while one of their vehicles swept by strong current due to heavy rains and floodwater started to rise. When the drivers are trying to recover and drive their vehicles for safety, the other five (5) foreigners with their local tour guide climb to reach higher grounds, suddenly the heard a loud sound/noise believed to be landslide from the mountain side. At this juncture, they decided to transfer the other four (4) foreigners to safe locations/grounds and tried to help the other group but when thet reach the location of the landslide, they discovered one (1) foreigners hanging and secured it while the other four (4) foreign tourist and two (2) local guides were missing and out of site RUSSEL CANLAS was left behind with their surviving passengers and JAYCEE MANALO, the other driver trek towards brgy. Sta Juliana to seek help in rescuing the trapped tourist but due to heavy rains, JAYCEE MANALO rested overnight in a nipa hut and reached Brgy. Sta. Juliana proper aound 070800H and informed th e PDC about the incident.
19. Base on the accounts of the survivors, the weather is still good when they left the PDC STA. JULIANA BASE,, sudden change of weather and heavy rains cause the disastrous incident lack of basic survival skills, tools/equipments on the other hand contributed in the failure to rescue the victims and put the rescuers at risk.
20. This office in coordinated with the local government MS. IVY WEIZ , CONSULAR ASSISTANT OF THE ROYAL EMBASSY OF BELGIUM and RAYAR ARNOUG, CONSUL OF THE FRENCH EMBASSY are working closely in the documentation,investigation and providing assistance both to the local and foreign nationals who perished in the tragedy.
21. Documents and othe belongings recovered were properly turned over and duly received by MS. IVY. WEISZ, from the BELGINA EMBASSY dated 08 August 2009
22. Further this office will continue conducting in investigation and recommend other preventive and safety measures to avoid the same incident. Other relevant information will be reported to that office ASAP.
23. For information.
JOYCE PATRICK SANGALANG
Police Superintendent
Chief of Police
x ----------------------------------------------------- x
Republic of the Philippines
National Police Commission PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE TARLAC POLICE PROVINCIAL OFFICE Camp Gen Francisco S Macabulos, Tartac City TelefaxNr(045) 982-1972; Entail address: [email protected]
MEMORANDUM
FOR : Regional Director, PR03
Camp Olivas, City of San Fernando, Pampanga (Altn: Chief, ROPD)
FROM : Provincial Director
SUBJECT : Initial Report Re-Search and Rescue Operation involving Foreign Nationals in 8ta Juliana, Capas, Tarlac
DATE : August 7, 2009
1. Please be informed that at about 062200 August 2009, the Hon. Gov
VICTOR A YAP together with PSSUPT RUDY G LACADIN, Vice Chairman and Mayor REYNALDO CATACUTAN, Chairman, MDCC of Capas activated the Tartac Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council purposely to conduct search and rescue/retrieval operations to twelve (12) foreign nationals; 9 French and 3 Koreans, and local guides/residents of Capas. Tartac who were reported strandedltrapped while on their way back from the Pinatubo Trek early in the afternoon. The search and rescue/retrieval teams were organized compose of the different line units of the government, the Tartac PPO, Capas PS, 313rd PMG, 31d Mechanized Infantry Battalion. Tactical Operations Group 3 (TOG3), Rescue Group of PDCC and the local government of Capas, Tarlac.
2. The operation mobilized all available resources including one (1)
UH1 H helicopter of TOG3, and it resulted to the safe rescue of six (6) French, three (3) Koreans and a local guide in the morning of August 7, 2009. The French nationals were brought to Central Luzon Doctors Hospital for immediate medical attention and post trauma procedure, while the Koreans were brought back to Angeles City. The following rescued personalities were as follows:
d. French National (6)
Avaga Radjon
Le Gudaver Beatrice
Bazin Dudier
Navarre Philippe
Guinebert Philippe
Fouchald Marie France
b. Korean National (3)
HanChung
Han Sany
XangHua
c. Filipino National (1) Capiendo, Silver
3. The rescue/retrieval operation also resulted to the recovery of seven
(7) dead bodies of the following and were later brought to the different Funeral Parlors in Capas and Tarlac City:
a. Trek Related Casualties
1 Cholet /martine/Marine- French (Aguinaldo Funeral Parlor
5. Ordonio Fernando -local tourist guide, recovered at So. Taliktik Sta. Juliana, Capas Tarlac (Mallari Funeral Parlor-Capas)
b. Not Trek Related
1. Bacani (TN still unknown) - recovered in New Asia Golf Course So. San Agustin, Brgy Patting, Capas
2. 1 still unidentified male person - recovered in Brgy Sta Lucia Capas T arlac
4. Initial investigation conducted showed that the French group registered
at the Pull Travel Destination Corporation, a registered agency catering for Pinatubo Trekkers, at around 7:30 AM and the Koreans at 7:45 AM respectively. The groups were permitted to proceed to the Pinatubo Crater by said agency because of the good weather condition prevailing at that time. It was only in the afternoon that the weather condition worsened bringing heavy rains the Pinatubo area, resulting to the abrupt and sudden surge of water level along O'Donnel River. PSSUPT RUDY LACADIN interviewed the administration officer of PTDC of their procedures and asked for a copy of their guidelines in releasing tourist in the area however the office failed to present any document.
5. The search and rescue operation was terminated at about 1600h of
this date after the subject personalities were all accounted for.
6. For information and progress report to follow as soon additional
Pertinent information will be obtained.
RUDY G LACADlN, DPA
Police Senior Superintendent DSC
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