MANILA, Philippines — Another frontliner in the fight against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has succumbed to the disease.

Dr. Ronaldo Mateo, a surgeon, passed away last April 5 after losing the battle against COVID-19, the EAC Medical Center in Cavite confirmed in a Facebook post.

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He was 47.

The hospital described Mateo as a “loving husband, proud father, a responsible man, a fighter.”

“We salute you, Dr. Mateo!” the hospital said in a separate post.

A loving husband. A proud father.A responsible family man. A fighter. We salute you, Dr. Mateo! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 Posted by EAC Medical Center-Cavite on Thursday, April 9, 2020

In a separate Facebook post, Cavite 4th District Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr. said Mateo was one of the pioneering doctors of the Pagamutan ng Dasmariñas in Cavite and eventually became the head surgeon of the hospital.

“Ang kanyang katapangan sa pagtupad ng kanyang tungkulin bilang medical frontliner sa gitna ng kinakaharap na krisis ay hindi malilimutan kailanman,” the lawmaker said.

(His bravery in accomplishing his duty as a medical frontliner amid the COVID-19 crisis we are facing will never be forgotten.)

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As a tribute to Mateo, Barzaga said the operating room of the hospital will be named after the surgeon and will be called the “Dr. Ronaldo Mateo Operating Room Complex.”

The Philippine College of Surgeons also recognized Mateo’s work as a medical professional.

“Dr. Onie dedicated his life to the practice of General Surgery, focusing on the needs of his townmates in Silang and Dasmariñas, Cavite. He shared his love and passion for life to his children, family, colleagues, and friends,” it said.

“He will be remembered through the many lives he has touched,” it added.

So far, the COVID-19 has claimed 342 lives as it also infected a total of 5,453 patients in the country.

The Department of Health (DOH) earlier revealed that the deadly respiratory disease took the lives of at least 12 healthcare workers in the country.

Meanwhile, 152 doctors and 63 nurses have tested positive for COVID-19.

/MUF

For more news about the novel coronavirus click here.

What you need to know about Coronavirus.

For more information on COVID-19, call the DOH Hotline: (02) 86517800 local 1149/1150.

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