‘Fit’ cop dies in Cebu marathon

CEBU, Philippines —  A seemingly fit 31-year-old policeman who joined the Cebu leg of 21-kilometer 7-Eleven 2023 Marathon was unable to make it to the finish line after he died due to an “acute decompensated heart failure” while on the race.

The deceased was identified as Patrolman Lee Rodrocks Carbonilla, who was assigned under the Technical Support Company of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB-7) but detailed to the Regional Headquarters Support Unit (RSHU) at PC Hills, Barangay Apas.

He has been in service for five years.

According to the spokesperson of Police Regional Office-7 Director Brigadier General Jerry Bearis, Police Lt. Col. Gerard Ace Pelare, reports they received indicated that Carbonilla suddenly fainted while running on the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX).

Cebu City Councilor Joel Garganera, who was present during the marathon’s kick-off, said that a medical team from REAVO responded to the incident.

“Per the ambulance crew, upon arrival, the patient was seen lying on the road having agonal breathing. CPR was immediately done on site and an estimated five shocks were given from AED all throughout transport to Cebu City Medical Center,” said Garganera from the initial report he received.

Carbonilla, however, was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.

Pelare said the reason for Carbonilla's death was “acute decompensated heart failure,” which caused him to have a sudden heart attack.

RMFB-7’s force commander, Col. Ronan Claravall, who went to the funeral home where Carbonilla's body was taken, described the policeman as athletic and who frequently joined running events.

“Lagi siyang sumasama sa ganyang activity, fun run, scout ranger trained kasi yan, maganda ang pangangatawan,” Claravall said.

Health Check

With the unfortunate incident, Claravall reminded his men to have a regular check-up.

“Always check yourself, magpunta sa ospital, magpa-check-up, magpa-executive check-up. Remember walang kahit anong yaman mo kung may dinadamdam ka naman. Walang silbi yan. Health is wealth talaga yan,” said Claravall.

Pelare agreed.

“Bisan og healthy kaayo ka when we involve ourselves to strenuous activities such as marathon, dapat we should prepare for it. Unya check nato atong lawas basin og dili ta ready, wala ta katulog og tarong, so on and so forth. So kini man gud siya, well it’s good mangapil og physical activities ang mga police as a way of maintaining health but dili sad pugson, tan-aw nato wala ta sa kondisyon, atong paminawon atong lawas kay pareha ani very unforeseen, very sad, wala gyud makita daan,” said Pelare.

Dr. Peter Mancao, who used to be the medical director for Ironman 70.3 Cebu and other events and a participant to yesterday’s marathon under the 5-kilometer distance, said he saw comments blaming the organizers of the event.

However, he reminded the public that there are always risks involved when one joins a marathon.

“It is always a risk that a runner takes whenever he joins a running event. It is also not possible to line up every kilometer of the route with a paramedic team. Be that as it may, it is incumbent upon every participant to make sure that he/she has trained enough and has had himself checked medically as often as possible,” Mancao said.

“The runners pray that events like this give them a venue where they can put the training to test with safety and medical back up in place,” he added.

Aid

Meanwhile, Claravall said they already have someone assigned to assist the family of the deceased with their needs.

Pelare likewise said that PRO-7 is helping the family in processing the burial benefits.

Garganera added that the organizers “are doing everything to extend assistance to the fallen runner.”

The FREEMAN tried to get an official statement from 7-Eleven and Coco Running’s Joel Suarez regarding the incident, but the latter said he is still waiting for the official communication from Manila regarding the action to take about the incident.  – Decemay P. Padilla, JMD (FREEMAN)