Spare Tire Saves Woman
'I was also fighting for my own survival,' recounts woman survivor
Survivor Maricor Lombes recounts
her ordeal.
Igbaras, Iloilo--The spare tire of the ill-fated jeepney which was carried away by the raging Tangyan River in Igbaras, Iloilo saved a 36-year old woman who managed to firmly hold to it despite strong water current.
Survivor Maricor Lombres in an interview told The News Today (TNT) they were about a meter away from the bank when the jeepney stalled and within 3 seconds, tilted to its left and eventually, toppled over to the raging waters. Her uncle Alfredo Ebanag and aunt, Concepcion Embalsado remain unaccounted and among the missing.
A returning Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW), the 36 year-old resident of Barangay Lab-on, Igbaras, Iloilo said she was immediately thrown off but managed to hold on to the jeepney's spare tire. She recalled floating in about ten minutes with the strong current pulling her down. Luckily, locals who witnessed the accident yelled for help with one male in Lombres' path grabbing her from the riverbank.
Her ordeal was also witnessed by her husband who was then following the ill-fated jeepney in a motorcycle but stopped upon seeing the raging river.
Accidental heroes Crisanto Ecluan, Denmark and
Joven being interviewed by TNT's Florence
Hibionada.
Lombres added she saw two other co passengers -- an alias Nonoy Epalan and Junior Balweg -- fighting for their lives.
"Pero waay man ko may mahimo kay ginhawa ko man nga mabuhi man ko (But I cannot do anything because I was also fighting for my own survival," she tearfully recounted.
Locals have since joined expert rescuers and divers from the Mountain Tigers, Philippine Coast Guard, 601st Auxilliary also of the Philippine Coast Guard, Black Panther and Royal Eagle volunteer rescue teams.
One of those who was killed, 19 year-old Marvin Del Rio was among the locals who gave up his life trying to save horrified passengers. An out of school youth, Marvin according to neighbors was the first to respond as he hurriedly gathered his pals Ramil Esgra and Jong Eclavia. The trio managed to get ropes and jumped into the river to save the victims.
Fellow rescuers Denmark and Joven told TNT Marvin gave up his rope and offered it to a woman. Within seconds, he was pulled down by the strong current and hours later, seen lifeless some 2 kilometers away from the accident site.
"Maayo gid na si Marvin. Kabuhi niya ginhatag niya para sa mga pasahero. Tambay na diri siya kag gapanguma man (He is a good man. He sacrificed his life for the passengers. He just hang around here and also works in the farm)," Denmark said as he went on to downplay his own heroism alongside his friend Joven. For their part, the duo said they managed to aid four passengers, all strangers to them both.
Yet another rescuer, 62 year-old Crisanto Ecluan also stayed behind, hoping to be of further help. A member of the village's Civilian Volunteer Organization (CVO), Ecluan told TNT he rushed to the area when told of the incident.
"Halin sang aga wala pa ko kinan-an pero sige lang. Nakabulig man ko sa duwa ka pasahero (Since this morning I have not eaten but that's fine. I was also able to help the two passengers)," he gladly recalled. By late afternoon with no survivors in sight, Ecluan who was then shivering from the cold and drenched by the intermittent rains continued to mill around offering his assistance to the authorities.
Governor Niel Tupas rushed to the accident site and offered financial help to the victims. Congresswoman Janette Garin of Iloilo's First District also said that assistance will be duly extended even as she calls for a meeting with the town mayor to secure the area and prevent motorists and locals from crossing in times when weather is bad and water current is strong.