Wounded soldier hopes for Mayon ceasefire

If he would have it his way, S/Sgt. Antonio Estrada, one of six soldiers wounded in the attack staged by suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Daraga, Albay last Aug. 8, would push for a ceasefire within the Mayon volcano area.

He said this would allow government troops to focus on relief and assistance efforts to affected residents.

Interviewed at the neuro-surgery ward of the V. Luna Hospital in Quezon City, Estrada said the truce would give soldiers the time to prepare for major rescue and relief operations or when the people need them most.

"What they (NPA) did was wrong. We were helping the civilians and they attacked us. It was a treacherous attack," he said in Filipino.

NPA leaders have reportedly ordered their combatants in Albay to temporarily suspend operations in light of the imminent eruption of Mayon volcano.

When NPA guerrillas fired M-203 grenades at the headquarters of the 901st Army brigade in Daraga, Estrada was the first to be hit by shrapnel at the back of the head. The metal fragment is now lodged in his right temple.

Capt. Allan Casallo, the neuro-surgeon who performed the operation on Estrada, said the metal fragment cannot be removed yet because it would be risky to do so.

"For now we are giving him antibiotics to prevent an infection. We are also giving him anti-seizure drugs to prevent seizures that the injury could cause," Casallo explained.

Ophthalmologists would also monitor Estrada’s vision for the next six months, as it was affected by the injury he sustained.

"When I was hit, I fell to the ground. I heard gunshots. All I could do was pray hard to God to save us," he said, adding that he also thought of his wife and 11-year-old son.

"Iniisip ko ang mga tropa. May mga pamilya din sila kaya nagdasal talaga ako na iligtas kami ng Diyos sa kapahamakan (I thought of the troops. They also have families so I really prayed hard)," he said.

Estrada expressed though that he is eager to go back to his assignment after he recuperates because he still wants to serve.