Grieving parents Pastor Romeo Bactor and Celestina share a moment with police Brig. Gen. Rex Dela Rosa and Usec Joel Egco after the simple rites honoring their son. Contributed photo
PEÑARANDA, Nueva Ecija – Dr. Israel Bactol, the 34-year-old cardiologist who succumbed to the coronavirus disease after exposure to a patient at the Philippine Heart Center was honored by Malacañang in simple rites officiated by ranking police and government officials at his residence in Barangay Callos here at about 3:30 p.m. Monday, April 27.
Bactol’s parents Pastor Romeo and Celestina received from Brig. Gen. Rex M. Dela Rosa, deputy regional director of the Police Regional Office 3 the Philippine flag and a letter of commendation from President Duterte for the young physician’s “heroic sacrifice,” as a frontliner in the country’s battle against the Covid-19 pandemic.
Also present at the rites were Undersecretary Joel M. Sy Egco, executive director of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security, and Col. Leon Victor Z. Rosete, chief of the Nueva Ecija police provincial office.
Both teachers, Bactol’s parents “vowed to continue his legacy of selfless dedication to help the poor,” Egco said. He noted that Bactol was a Doctor to the Barrio volunteer.
Solemn as it was, all parties at the rites still had to follow protocols imposed by the Inter-Agency Task Force under the enhanced community quarantine, such as wearing face masks and practicing social or physical distancing.
For the people of this town, Bactol was an icon in government’s fight against Covid-19 even as theylamented his passing at such a young age.
