(Photo from Valenzuela Police Station)
Two officers from the Valenzuela City Police Station (VCPS) rescued a 16-year-old boy who jumped into the Tullahan River in Barangay Gen. T. de Leon on Friday, July 11, due to an alleged personal problem.
Police identified the boy as “Migs,” a resident of Tullahan Road in Sta. Quiteria, Caloocan City.
VCPS chief Col. Gerson Bisayas said Police Staff Sergeant Alvaro Vargas Jr. and Patrolman Crizald Kevin Flores, who were patrolling the area, immediately responded after receiving a call from the command center about the incident.
Upon reaching the river, Vargas immediately jumped in after seeing the boy swimming away. With assistance from Flores, they were able to safely pull him out of the water.
They then brought him to the police substation at the Gen. T. De Leon 3S Center, where he was given a bath, clean clothes, and hygiene items.
Authorities said they also offered the boy some food, but he refused to eat. They added that he might be dealing with a serious personal problem.
Officers also visited the boy’s home to inform his father about the incident.
The two were later brought to the Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC) for counseling.
Police are now coordinating with social workers and the boy’s family to help with his recovery.
Meanwhile, authorities said a quick response is ensured by dispatching the nearest team available.
“Bale ang sistema po kasi, kapag may mga ganoong emergency, tinitingnan po namin ‘yung deployment plan, kaya kung sino po ‘yung nasa pinakamalapit na lugar, ‘yun po agad ang niraradyuhan namin (In situations like this, we follow our deployment plan and radio the team closest to the incident),” Bisayas explained.