CAMP NAKAR, Lucena City – The Quezon Police Provincial Office (QPPO) is mourning the death of a policeman who died while trying to save a drowning victim last week in Atimonan, Quezon.
PCpl. Ruel Agnes risked his life in rescuing 25-year-old Mary Jean Binaday Mata while struggling to keep afloat at Maling River the night of Jan. 26.
Agnes was in the area conducting intelligence monitoring for possible police operation for illegal gambling when he saw Mata in distress.
As soon as Agnes was able to reach Mata, both of them were swept away by strong currents.
According to PLt. Lovelyn Lalunio of the QPPO-PIO, Mata, from Camarin, Caloocan City, was having a drinking session with friends in a nearby house before the incident occurred.
A joint retrieval operation was conducted by Atimonan MPS together with Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), MDRRMO, Philippine Coast Guard, 89th IB Philippine Army and Brgy. Tanod of Brgy. San Isidro Atimonan, Quezon.
The operation led to the recovery of the lifeless body of Mata early morning of Jan. 29 while the body of Agnes was retrieved 12:10 p.m. of Jan. 29. Both bodies were recovered within the vicinity of Brgy. San Isidro also in Atimonan.
Meantime the provincial police force led by PCol. Joel Villanueva honored their fallen comrade who was a member of the Philippine National Police Class 2014 “Bantayog”.
"We will remember and honor his selfless devotion to Quezon PPO and his ultimate sacrifice to save someone he didn’t know," PCol Joel Villanueva, Quezon Police provincial director said.