Brig. Gen. Rex Dela Rosa, Central Luzon police chief, hands over a Philippine flag to Pastor Romeo Bactol, father of COVID-19 fatality Dr. Israel Bactol, who was commended for his fight against the disease. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
PE脩ARANDA, Nueva Ecija 鈥� Dr. Israel Bactol, the 34-year-old Philippine Heart Center cardiologist who died of COVID-19 after contracting it from a patient, was given honors in simple rites on Monday (April 27) in his home at the village of Callos here.
Bactol鈥檚 parents, Pastor Romeo and Celestina, received a flag and a letter of commendation from President Rodrigo Duterte for the doctor鈥檚 鈥渉eroic sacrifice鈥� on the frontline of the battle against the disease.
The low-key program was led by Brig. Gen. Rex Dela Rosa, deputy police chief in Central Luzon.
Also present were Undersecretary Joel Sy Egco, executive director of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security, and Col. Leon Victor Rosete, Nueva Ecija police chief.
Both teachers, Bactol鈥檚 parents promised to continue their son鈥檚 鈥渓egacy of selfless dedication to help the poor,鈥� according to Egco, referring to Bactol鈥檚 work in the Doctor to the Barrio program of the government.
Because of the lockdown, the program was short and all participants wore masks.
Bactol is being hailed by this town as a vanguard in the fight against coronavirus.