The friends and loved ones of the volunteer firefighter who tragically lost his life while responding to a fire incident in San Juan City recalled his bravery and heroism.
In Mark Salazar’s “24 Oras” report, the parents of 25-year-old CK Oliver became emotional when they recalled the last moments of their son, whom they said had been helping in rescue operations since he was 15 years old.
“Fifteen years old palang yan sumasama na yan sa training ko. Trained ‘yan sa high-angle search and rescue kaya dun palang siguro dun ang passion niya na rumesponde, ‘yan talaga ang gusto nya,” Luigi Pascual-Ama, the fire volunteer’s father, said.
(He had been joining me in my trainings since he was 15 years old. He is trained in high-angle search and rescue and I think that’s where his passion for serving came from.)
Both of CK’s parents were volunteers for the Philippine Red Cross (PRC). His father is also part of the Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team.
“Masakit sa inang makita mong lapnos-lapnos ang balat ng anak mo. May tama sa ulo. Hindi mo na makakausap, hindi mo mahahawakan. Ang sakit,” Joy Oliver, CK’s mother, said.
(It’s painful to see him in that state. His skin was burned and he had wounds on his head. I cannot talk to him or touch him. It was painful.)
Oliver died on Tuesday evening when the ceiling of a burning house in Barangay Isla Batis collapsed on him. He was rushed to a hospital but died while undergoing treatment.
EJ Cabalhin, deputy fire chief of New San Juan volunteer fire brigade, said Oliver returned to the house upon hearing that the fire broke out again in the area.
“Mga 20 minutes nakalipas bumalik ang tao ng Barangay San Perfecto sakin na nagsabi na si CK daw po ay nadaganan na ng bahay,” Cabalhin.
(After 20 minutes, a personnel from Barangay San Perfecto told me he passed away.)
Joseph Alamo, another fire volunteer, tearfully remembered the volunteer.
“Masakit po kasi higit sa kaibigan, higit sa kapatid, higit sa anak. Ganun po siya sa akin sayang sayang ang bata pa,” Alamo said.
(It pains me because he was more than a sibling and a child for me. He’s still young.)
CK’s mother has a message for him, “CK, wherever you are, talagang si Mama super proud sa ýo e. Love na love ka ni Mama.”
The fire, which started past 5 p.m. on Tuesday and reached the third alarm, also resulted in P1.5 million worth of estimated damage.
More than 12 firetrucks responded to the emergency as the area was located beside an oil depot. The fire was put out shortly before 8 p.m. on Tuesday. — Sundy Locus/BAP, GMA Integrated News
