DAVAO CITY – Four individuals, who were trapped in a fallen coconut tree in the middle of a rampaging floodwater in Barangay Don Enriquez Lopez in Mati City, were rescued Sunday afternoon, May 23.
The rescued victims were identified as Liza Castillo, 33 years old; Cherry Mae Casamiro, 19; Jumaira Lamudok, 11 and Ace Budta, 12. The four were reported to be bathing in Bitan-agan River when the water abruptly rose from the heavy rain in the mountain area.
According to the report of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), the victims were trapped in the middle of the river but luckily were able to hold on to a fallen coconut tree caused earlier by the Tropical Storm Crising.
The Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (BDRRMC) together with the disaster volunteer group readily responded to the scene and rescued the four individuals in less than an hour.
The CDRRMO dispatched ambulances to the area to attend to the victims and the rescuers, as well. The victims are now safe.