Soldiers in ComVal undergo stress debriefing

From ABS-CBN (Dec 18): Soldiers in ComVal undergo stress debriefing

Soldiers in Compostela Valley underwent stress debriefing as retrieval operations continue in New Bataan. A group of volunteers took advantage of what little free time the soldiers had to check on their condition. The activity is part of the stress debriefing that will allow the men in uniform to open up and unload some of the burden. In this field, soldiers fight a different battle.  “Sila ‘yung kumbaga nasa front line. Mayroong may trauma, mayroong may second-hand trauma. ‘Yung pasa-pasa na nakita mo lang, hindi pwedeng hindi ka maapektuhan,” said Fr. Arnold Abelardo of the Philippine Orthopedic Center.
 
Some of the soldiers could not hold back their emotions as they talked about their colleagues who remain missing and the residents who are not giving up hope that their loved ones will be found. "Masakit din sa amin kasi sabi nga ng iba mas okay pa ang giyera kasi nakikita pa ‘yung cadaver nila eh pero ito wala talaga,” said Capt. Victor Enteng Jr. “Karamihan sa mga nakuha namin mga bata. May anak din ako eh, mahirap na mangyari din sa amin,” said Sgt. Ronald Torralba. The volunteers tried to ease the soldiers' pain and anxiety through a prayer at the end of the session.

Meanwhile, downpours continue in New Bataan, especially in the afternoon. The sound of rain is enough to strike fear and send people into panic. “Natakot ako talaga, baka lumaki ang ulan, saan kami tatakbo?” said Angela Concon, one of the survivors. Social workers here are now calling on other counselors and psychologists to help survivors cope with the trauma caused by Typhoon Pablo.
Assistance is more than just physical help. Sometimes, the best kind of relief one can give is to listen, to offer comforting words and assure survivors that they are not in this alone.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/12/18/12/soldiers-comval-undergo-stress-debriefing