Girlfriend, colleague remember Dr. Israel Bactol who lost his life due to COVID-19

A young cardiologist, Dr. Israel Bactol, was among those whose lives were claimed by the dreaded COVID-19, according to Philippine Heart Center executive director Dr. Joel Abanilla on Tuesday.

Bactol was the young doctor referred to by the Philippine Heart Association in its statement issued Saturday.

His colleague Gelmark Olivares told Jessica Soho of Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho that Bactol was a very kind and humble physician.

"Si Doc Israel, isa siya sa pinakamabait na doctor o resident doctor sa Premier. And makikitaan mo talaga siya ng humility sa kanyang trabaho. You will be missed, Doc!" he said in a video clip aired on GMA News' 24 Oras on Monday.

Bactol's girlfriend Lerma Bhelle Iglesia is thankful for the two years they spent together, and added he is so much loved by everyone.

"Kahit na maiksi lang ‘yung time na binigay ni Lord sa atin para magkasama, sa two years na ‘yun, sobrang nakilala kita, sobrang naramdaman ko ‘yung love mo. I know na masaya ka na diyan sa heaven. Proud na proud kami sa ‘yo, El! Mahal na mahal ka namin!" she said.

The PHA said the young cardiologist was brilliant and promising.

Abanilla on Tuesday said on Dobol B sa News TV the Philippine Heart Center has put up Bactol's photo and people have been bringing flowers.

He confirmed that another cardiologist, PHA past president Dr. Raul Diaz Jara, died before dawn on Tuesday due to complications after testing positive for COVID-19.

Abanilla: He (Dr. Raul Diaz Jara) tested positive for COVID-19.

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) March 24, 2020

Abanilla said they will put Jara's photo beside Bactol's to honor their valiant service.

Another doctor, anesthesiologist Dr. Greg Macasaet also lost his life due to COVID-19, according to Manila Doctors Hospital.

On Tuesday, the Department of Health said the number of COVID-19 cases climbed to 501, and 33 have died. Nineteen patients have recovered.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said doctors who died in the line of duty battling COVID-19 are heroes. —KG, GMA News