Bro Samuel "Sammy" Ong Sr Drops Working Tools at 64: 22 May 2009

We are saddened to announce the demise of Bro. Sammy Ong of Salug Valley Lodge No. 216 of Molave, Zamboanga del Sur. Bro Sammy is a dual member of Kagitingan Lodge No. 286 in Makati City.

Bro Sammy died of lung cancer leading to cardiac arrest at 6:11pm last Friday, May 22 at the age of 65 [64 per newspapers] years old. He was a Deputy Director of NBI.

Kagitingan Lodge 286 will conduct a masonic funeral rite for Bro Sammy at 7:00pm tomorrow May 26 at Funeraria La Paz in Araneta Avenue, QC. The body will leave at 2:00pm Wednesday May 27 in Funeraria La Paz for interment at the Holy Memorial Park Novaliches, QC.

We invite the brethren to witness the funeral rite for Bro. Sammy and/or offer prayers for the eternal repose of his soul. Additional information can be obtained thru my landline 4084308.

BRO JAMES A OLAYVAR
Worshipful Master
Kagitingan Lodge No. 286

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According to VWBro Jun Bitor, PDGL; Bro Sammy Ong Sr is an active member of Salug Valley Lodge No 216 in Molave, Zamboanga del Sur.

He said that: "Bro Sammy Ong is a member of our lodge, however after that Hello Garci controversy we haven't have any news from him up to now, if there are any brethren who have any news regarding where his body lies, please inform us so we can also extend the news to the brethren of our lodge. Until his demise Bro Sammy Ong is an active member of our lodge."

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Brethren,

As per text message of WM Bro James Olayvar of Kagitingan #286; Bro Sammy Ong is a dual member of Kagitingan #286.

They plan to give the [Masonic] Funeral Rite, Tuesday May 26, 7p.m. at Funeraria Paz.

Bro Joel Porlares
Muog Lodge #89
MD NCR-G MWGLP
Lodge Location: Paranaque City
Present Location: Pasay City

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Pinoy Masons Worldwide offer their deepest condolences to the family, friends and brethren of Bro Samuel "Sammy" Ong Sr. Our prayers are with you.

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Various excerpts re death of Bro Sammy Ong Sr:

"Former National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Deputy Director Samuel “Sammy” Ong, who gained national prominence when he boldly faced national media to expose the massive electoral fraud committed by then presidential candidate Gloria Arroyo as captured in the now infamous “Hello Garci” tapes, died at 6:05 p.m. yesterday [22 May Friday] of lung cancer at the Intensive Care Unit of the Chinese General Hospital in Manila.

"Former President Joseph Estrada visited Ong at the hospital yesterday and caught Ong before the former NBI director breathed his last.

"Upon Ong’s death, Estrada sent his condolences to the family of Ong, saying the former NBI official was “a brave and courageous man whom we should consider a hero because he fought for truth and justice for the Filipino people who were deprived of their chosen president.”

"Ong had been confined at the Chinese General Hospital since May 11 where he was brought by members of his family after he complained of difficulty in breathing. He was diagnosed to be suffering from terminal lung cancer.

"His attending physicians, Dr. Reynaldo Sebastian and Dra. Angeli Yu, had already given the whistle-blower a slim chance to survive. They however said that the patient could still respond to questions, although his voice was very inaudible. He was, up to his death, still mentally alert, the doctors added."

[From The Daily Tribune story by Conrado Ching, 25 May 2009, read full story here.]

"Since last year, Ong had been battling an advanced stage of lung cancer, the cause of his death, his son Samuel Ong Jr. confirmed. He was 64.

"[Actor Rez] Cortez said Ong was given the last sacraments by Bishop Teodoro Bacani last Wednesday as Ong's family was told that would die “any day now.”

"Ong's older brother, Henry, said it was difficult for the family to accept that his brother, whom he described as a “principled man” would never witness any closure on the ‘Hello, Garci’ scandal that he helped reveal. “It is very painful for us, very painful,” a teary-eyed Henry said.

"Ong's revelations of the controversy were a source of family pride, friends and family members said. “They were saddened, but I know that they were proud of what he did,” Bacani said.

“He really fought for the truth,” Cortez said.

"Estrada said he would have wanted to meet Ong during his healthier days but the threat that Ong, who went to hiding after he was charged with rebellion, would be killed or arrested prevented them from doing so.

“He sacrificed his life, his ambition, his career. He is a true public servant,” Estrada said.

Henry said his brother was diagnosed of having lung cancer just after his birthday on Oct. 8 last year.

"He said his brother, a chainsmoker, was not surprised by the diagnosis. “He said, ‘I don't blame anyone. I abused myself,’” he said.

[Excerpts from Philippine Daily Inquirer news breaking report by Kristine L. Alave. Full report here.]