2 Army soldiers and 4 members of the Civilian Auxiliary Forces Geographical Units (CAFGU) died after they were swept away by flash floods during rescue operations in Laguna.

The fatalities were identified as Private first class Venancio Ancheta and Corporal Adriano Regua. The two members of the 16th Infantry Battalion’s Alpha Company were involved in separate rescue operations in Famy and Mabitac towns, respectively.

The 4 militiamen were also identified as Joel Hernalin, Ireneo Olaguer, Florencio Dequinio and Pedro Monte Falcon, according to Philippine Army’s 202nd Infantry Brigade commander, Col. Aurelio Baladad.

A CAFGU member, Artenio Descotido, is reported missing.

“They gave their lives so that others may live. Mahirap mamatayan ng tao. The hardest job I do is to go to funerals and face the families ng tao ko. I just hope that their families will be proud of what they did for others,” lamented Baladad.

Baladad said the military’s rescue operations are ongoing. Although they are now shifting from rescue to relief operations.

“Despite this setback, I feel comfort that we saved and rescued 2,674 and evacuated 353 families," he said.