Hero's death: Quick response diver dies in rescue efforts in Tuguegarao

A Fisheries Protection and Law Enforcement Officer of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) was on his last rescue attempt when he made contact with a live wire in Tuguegarao City.

According to Aubrey Carampel’s “24 Oras Weekend” report on Sunday, Henry Villarao was part of the quick response team deployed to save residents stranded by the massive floods brought by Typhoon Ulysses.

“Inumpisahan nila ang rescue from Aparri hanggang dito sa Tuguegarao so ‘yung mga madadaanan nilang magpapa-rescue, nire-rescue po hangga’t nakarating sila dito sa Tuguegarao,” his cousin Venchito said.

A skilled diver and swimmer, Villarao was aboard a speedboat along with other rescuers while traversing flood waters in Barangay Linao.

“No’ng pagdaan nila doon, nakita nila na may debris na nalagay doon sa tapat na nagsa-sag na. [May] nakalaylay na cable wire at iyon ang sumabog na siyang tumama do’n sa likod ng pinsan ko,” Venchito said.

The rescuer was brought to the hospital but declared dead on arrival.

He left behind his wife and their four-month-old child.

Villarao’s remains are yet to be brought home after floods rendered some roads impassable. —Julia Mari Ornedo/JST, GMA News