Amid the onslaught of Typhoon Jolina in Samar, police officers from the Sto. Niño Municipal Police Station in Samar risked their own lives to save the lives of at least 50 fishermen who were in desperate need of help due to strong waves in the middle of the sea.
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar said that what the police officers did was inspiring and only showed how far policemen would go in the name of police service.
In one instance, police personnel from the Sto. Niño Municipal Police Station used their patrol boat and makeshift rescue equipment in rescuing fishermen who were still at sea amid the typhoon.
“Bilang ama ng inyong Philippine National Police, ikinararangal at ipinagmamalaki ko ang kabayanihang ipinakita ng ating mga pulis sa Sto. Niño Municipal Police Station sa pagliligtas ng ating mga kababayang mangingisda sa gitna ng malalakas na alon gamit ang kanilang patrol boat at makeshift rescue equipment,” said PGen Eleazar.
“Napanood ko mismo ang video ng isinagawang rescue operation at talaga namang kahanga-hanga ang tapang at determinasyon na ipinakita ng ating mga kapulisan na inilagay sa alanganin ang kanilang mga sariling buhay mailigtas lamang ang buhay ng ating mga kababayan,” he added.
At least 50 fishermen have been rescued in the provinces of Samar and Leyte. Unfortunately, four bodies were also retrieved by the police officers.
The local police force, with the help of the people in the community and local authorities, immediately attended to the needs of the rescued fishermen.
They also coordinated with other local police forces to inform the families of the rescued policemen that they are all safe. The same was done to inform the relatives of the four fishermen about the tragedy that befell their loved ones.
“On behalf of the men and women of the PNP, I commend and express my deepest gratitude to the personnel of the Sto. Niño Municipal Police Station for showing the true meaning of police service. Kayo ang tunay na mukha ng PNP, ang mga Pulis ng Pilipino,” PGen Eleazar said. (PNP-PIO) -rir
