By Gabriela Baron
A coast guard died while conducting a search and rescue (SAR) operation in a river in Tubao, La Union on Tuesday, Sept. 5, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said.
PCG said CG PO3 Ponciano Nesperos died after drowning in the river while conducting a SAR operation in Sitio Daeng in Barangay Halog East, Tubao.
Nesperos was a member of the Special Operations Group-North Western Luzon.
He responded to a drowning incident amid heavy rains in Sitio Daeng.
“Pagdating sa lugar ng insidente, dahan-dahang tumawid si CG PO3 Nesperos para i-secure ang ‘safety line’ sa kabilang bahagi, ngunit nawalan siya ng balanse at tuluyang tinangay ng rumaragasang ilog,” PCG said.
“Sinubukan siyang iligtas, ngunit wala siyang malay nang ma-recover ng PCG SAR team,” it added.
Nesperos was brought to La Union Medical Center but was declared dead on arrival.
PCG said it is coordinating with Nesperos’ family to extend assistance.
“Nakikiramay ang buong PCG sa naulilang pamilya ni CG PO3 Nesperos na hanggang sa huling sandali ng kanyang buhay ay piniling isakatuparan ang sinumpaang tungkulin sa bayan.” -ag
