Rescuer found dead

From Tempo (Aug 23): Rescuer found dead

A 36-year-old member of the search and rescue unit of the Philippine Air Force was found dead inside his barracks at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City Thursday, police said yesterday.

The Southern Police District Station 1 identified the victim as Sergeant Ferdinand Maala, an aircraft tow tug driver of the PAF 505th Search and Rescue Group, of Visayas Ave., Quezon City.

Maala’s body was discovered at about 7:20 a.m. by aircraft maintenance officer Capt. Darren Callado, police said.

Initial investigation disclosed that Callado was waking up Maala who was supposed to bring out an aircraft using the tow tug that time. However, after shaking the victim’s body several times, Callado observed Maala was already stiff and cold.

Callado checked Maala’s pulse and tried to revive him but to no avail. He asked assistance from his companions and brought the victim to their hospital where Maala was declared dead on arrival.

SPO2 Joel Landicho, case investigator, disclosed that they are still waiting for the autopsy result to determine the cause of death. However, police believe Maala died from natural causes and there was no foul play involved.

Landicho said the victim was said to have hypertension that could be the possible cause of his death.

Police learned from witnesses that Maala was last seen watching television at about 1:30 a.m. the same day.

http://www.tempo.com.ph/2015/08/23/rescuer-found-dead/