Student saves 11-year-old from drowning in river in Laguna

A young man has been recognized for rescuing an 11-year-old child who fell into a river and went under in San Pedro, Laguna.

According to Jayvee Reyes, the child was under water for a time after falling into the river, which was deeper than the height of an average human.

“Napansin ko po ‘yun, lumubog siya. Pagkalubog niya po, dun na po talaga ako tumalon. Saktong talon ko po, nakapa ko po agad ‘yung bata, naramdaman ko,” he said in John Consulta's report on GMA’s “24 Oras Weekend Express” on Sunday.

[I noticed him sink. When he sank I jumped and I immediately got a hold of him, I felt him.]

Reyes then tried to bring the child to the riverbanks, but was forced to conduct CPR along the side of the river due to difficulties.

The child was successfully rescued and brought home, with the mother turning emotional as she thanked Reyes.

“Nagpapasalamat po ako sa kanya na hindi kinuha ng Diyos ang anak ko. Dahil sa kanya nabuhay ang anak ko,” Maria Victoria Ponce said in the same report.

[I thank him that my son was not taken by God. Because of him my child is alive.]

Reyes’ cellphone and wallet were soaked in the incident, but the barangay and several residents rewarded him for his efforts, giving him two cellphones, a laptop, and P50,000.

"Napalitan po yung cellphone ko, tapos binigyan po ako ng laptop para po magamit ko sa pag-aaral ko," he said.

"Salamat po sa tumulong din sa akin, na binigyan din po ako ng trabaho," he added, visibly emotional.

[I was able to replace my cellphone, and they gave me a laptop I can use for my schooling. Thank you to everyone who helped me, and who gave me a job too.] — Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas/BM, GMA News