We call them hero but let them fly in not air safe 50 year old planes (maybe more), knowing that the fleet is not safe but because of a lack of anything to replace them insisting they fly to their deaths. We must stop this We call them heroes but we let them die over and over again. They are not only heroes but martyrs Their politicians fly first class whilst their people fly to their graves. What to say, but Sorry For We Did Nothing.
from Philstar here
‘Man of mercy’ lost own life saving others
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Air Force Maj. Manuel Zambrano was known as the “man of mercy” who flew food and medicine to typhoon victims in Eastern Samar and evacuated Filipinos from war-torn Iraq, and he died ferrying troops to the front in Mindanao.
People trapped in floods in Borongan, Eastern Samar clapped their hands when Zambrano successfully landed a C-130 aircraft loaded with food and medicine on an unpaved airstrip five months ago.
The 39-year-old seasoned military pilot also had to fly a C-130 thousands of kilometers into a war zone to rescue Filipino workers after the US invaded Iraq.
Zambrano also ferried Filipino doctors to help typhoon victims in Myanmar.
He flew medicine and a medical team to help tsunami victims in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
“He died so that others may live,” Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Pedrito Cadungog said.
Last Monday, Zambrano was piloting a C-130 from Davao International Airport when it burst into flames and crashed shortly after takeoff.
The military aircraft had just unloaded Army Scout Rangers from Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija.
Cadungog said while emerging from the aircraft in an airstrip in Borongan, Eastern Samar five months ago, he was moved to see people clapping their hands.