A 76-YEAR-OLD evacuee may have survived one of the most devastating disasters to hit the City of Naga, Cebu, last September 20. But the heartache this tragedy brought proved to be too much for Felipe Dejillas, who died of a heart attack, Thursday night, September 27.
John Marbe Bacus, Dejillas' 17-year-old grandson, told VoxPop Cebu that his grandfather had been complaining of chest pains and breathing difficulties since he was evacuated to Enan Chiong Activity Center (Ecac) on September 20, the day the landslide struck Sitio Sindulan.
He was taken to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) in Cebu City last Monday, September 24, after complaining of chest pains. He was released and returned to Ecac at dawn the next day. But Dejillas' condition worsened as the days go by.
"Magsige nalang siyag hilak. Sige na sad siya'g pamalihug nako nga muuli kay gusto niya asikasoon si lola," said Bacus, referring to Dejillas' wife.
Dejillas again suffered a second heart attack, while staying at Ecac last Thursday, September 27. This time, it proved to be fatal. Dejillas died at the VSMMC at 10 p.m. that day.
Bacus said he never thought his grandfather would suffer a heart attack especially since he has been known to be healthy, even at his age.
"Lagsik man gyud kaayo na siya. Mamugha paman gani na siya'g kahoy sa amo," Bacus added.
However, his grandfather's ailments worsened after he refused to eat the food given to him by camp managers at Ecac.
He added that his grandfather died a broken-hearted man after most of his relatives perished in the landslide.
Dejillas is related to the Campanilla and Siton families in Sitio Sindulan, whose members were almost wiped out by the landslide.
Dejillas' body is currently at the City of Naga Tennis Court, where a wake is held for all those who died during the massive landslide.
The City Government of Naga will shoulder Dejillas' burial expenses.
He is also the first non-landslide death reported in the City of Naga. (JKV)