27–year–old patient is latest robbery victim
by Harley F. Palangchao
Robbers spare no one.
A 27-year-old patient undergoing intensive therapy due to a life-threatening spinal injury is one of the latest victims of robbery in Baguio.
Through a concerned citizen, this writer received an information last week saying Guydeal Mana-a was robbed in his uncle’s house at Puliwes barangay on Aug. 31.
Taken from his room were P4,000, gas stove, liquefied petroleum gas tank, and assorted clothes. The burglars left his maintenance medicines.
“It’s a very unfortunate incident considering that Guydeal is suffering from spinal injury,” said professor Gregorio Taag, country president of The Cordillera Connection (TCC), a group assisting the victim and other terminally-ill patients in the region.
Mana-a spends a huge amount for his therapy due to a spinal injury he suffered few years ago.
The injury impaired his movement, which gives him muscle spasms all over his body.
Through the help of TCC that holds Concert for Life series and other supporters, Mana-a sought treatment at St. Luke’s Medical Hospital in Manila but the cost of therapy has drained his family’s resources.
Councilor Faustino Olowan extended help to Mana-a by writing an appeal to possible benefactors to support his medication and therapy.
While it appeared that suspects in the robbery are still on the loose, concerned friends of the patient are hopeful they will by apprehended.
Taag announced the TCC Concert for Life 11 to be held at the La Trinidad Municipal Gym on Sept. 21 in a bid to raise fund for more than 20 patients, including Mana-a.
The concert also supports the studies of poor but deserving students in the region.
This article is being republished in this website, courtesy of Baguio Midland Courier.
THE CORDILLERA CONNECTION 