PSWD: 8ID brings hope to the people

Camp Lukban, Catbalogan, Samar – The Head of the Samar Provincial Social Work and Development (PSWD) Mrs Luz Tacal happily received Mylene dela Cruz, one of the survivors of the New People’s Army’s Matuguinao massacre last year in a simple yet meaningful turn-over ceremony in the headquarters of the Army’s 8th Infantry Division, Catbalogan, Samar around 10 a.m., yesterday.

Mrs. Tacal dubbed 8ID to have been bringing hope to the people after saving Mylene’s family and her life in the claws of death brought by the terrorist NPA. She and her family were in the custody of the 8ID as she underwent series of medical operations for several months until finally turned over to the care of PSWD.

It can be recalled that sometime in March 2010 Mylene’s family was mercilessly attacked at Barangay Bag-otan, Matuguinao Samar. She, his husband Jovic and son Joshua had miraculously survived but her left hip was seriously hit by the terrorist bullet. Doming and Junie, father and brother of Jovic respectively died in that tragic event.

Mylene was immediately brought by the government troops to Samar Provincial Hospital for her immediate medication, but because of lack of facilities, she was brought to Camp Lukban Station Hospital. She was then brought to AFP Medical Center or V-Luna hospital for immediate hip prosthesis. The series of operations has incurred an expenses amounting to around P1.3 million pesos that was shouldered by the Philippine Army.

Meanwhile, Colonel Virgilio Espineli, the assistant Division Commander of 8ID said that Mylene was indeed lucky enough for surviving the misfortune in her life. He said that the support extended to her by the Philippine Army is somewhat fulfilling to the mandate of Army’s protection of life and people’s right.

“We want to inform the public especially the local government units that this problem could not be solved by a mere military solution. Necessary cooperation and collaboration is needed to achieve our aspiration to fully develop our province as well as to attain the long and lasting peace for the Samarnon,” Colonel Espineli adds.

The colonel also said that Mylene is a typical example of what our people would be if insurgency will continue to reign as it posses a big threat to our innocent people. The family of Mylene has no arms nor power to defend themselves but still, terrorist NPA did not hesitate to pin them down for just a mere allegation.

Mrs. Tacal further thanked the leadership of 8ID for continuously making coordination to their office especially with regards to the welfare of their constituents. She said that although their agency could not certainly provide the same amount of assistance extended by the 8ID, they will do their best to seek assistance from the city government of Tacloban and to the other agencies or organizations to sustain the needs of Mylene.

“We are very much thankful to the military for the efforts and medical assistance they gave to Mylene. That kind of effort on your part is a genuine manifestation of your will and commitment to serve our people here in Samar,” She says.


Mylene is now re-united with her family, starting anew her life along with her husband Juvic and son Josua, after the trauma that was brought to them by the terrorist NPA. The DSWD 8 will continue to monitor Mylene because after the physical healing of Mylene, the emotional trauma still haunt them where Mrs. Tacal promised to address by letting them undergo counseling sessions to help them recover and move forward to a new life. ###