Family buries recently found missing soldier

By DPAO, 8ID PA
December 2, 2013

TACLOBAN CITY – The body of the missing soldier detailed as a member of the security team of Commander, 8th Infantry Division at the time Typhoon Yolanda hit Tacloban City on 08 November 2013 was already found. He was also a member of the back-up security of DND Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and DILG Secretary Mar Roxas.

The cadaver of Staff Sergeant Rolando Hidalgo was found on December 3, 2013 and finally laid to rest in a simple burial ceremony on December 4, 2013 at Superior Memorial Garden Cemetery, Brgy Diit, Tacloban City.

Staff Sergeant Rolando Hidalgo was found at Diyo Island located two (2) kilometers South East from Dioscoro Papa Naval Station, Brgy San Jose, Tacloban City. He went missing for three (3) weeks until his remains were found.

According to Staff Sergeant Carlo Caracol and Cpl Rolando Del Monte, both members of Maj Gen Velarmino’s security team, Staff Sergeant Hidalgo helped them survive the storm surge. “When we were initially swept by the storm surge, Staff Sergeant Hidalgo got hold of a floating refrigerator and swam towards our position until we also got hold of the refrigerator,” said the two.

They all survived the initial wave of the storm surge. However, when the second wave swept them, SSg Caracol and Cpl Del Monte were able to get hold of a log, while SSg Hidalgo got separated from them. They have not seen SSg Hidalgo until his body was found on December 3.

“We survived because of Staff Sergeant Hidalgo. Without him sharing to us the floating refrigerator, we would have died as well.. We will be forever grateful to him,” added the two soldiers. Hidalgo’s family, although saddened by his death, was thankful for the good words his comrades accorded him.