Good Samaritan dies saving drowning teens

As he attempted to save the lives of two teenaged girls, a 47-year-old cigarette vendor, who was celebrating his birthday, drowned last Thursday afternoon after suffering a leg cramp in the waters of Baseco Beach in Tondo, Manila

The victim was identified as Rio Santos, part-time janitor and cigarette vendor, and a native of Nueva Ecija.

Based on the investigation of P/SMS Bernardo Cayabyab of Manila Police District(MPD)-Homicide section, the incident happened at 1:20 p.m. at Baseco Beach in Port Area, Manila.

The rescued teenagers were identified as “Myra,” 14, and “Auring,” 12, both out-of-school youth from Sta. Rosa, Tondo.

The girls were swimming along with their friends when they went into the deep part of the beach.

Santos, after hearing the girls’ friends shouting for help, immediately responded to save them.

One of the survivors said they grabbed Santos by the arm when he reached them. However, he told them to let go because he suffered from a cramp. By that time, a number of bystanders went into the water to retrieve the girls.

Santos disappeared into the sea, and attempts by divers to rescue him were futile.

When his body surfaced, his was feet were covered in filth, indicating that he went under the deep part of the beach.

P/Partolman Rey Palawing and P/Corporal Romeo Catabay of the MPD-Station 5 tried to revive Santos but they failed. The victim was rushed to the Gat. Andres Bonifacio Memorial Medical Center where he was declared dead on arrival at 3:20 p.m.

Friends of the victim said was celebrating his birthday that day with rounds of drinks at Baseco Beach. They were among the first who noticed the cries for help of the drowning girls.