Guide drowned after rescuing tourist in Miagao, Iloilo

A tourist guide died after he saved a local tourist from drowning in Miag-ao town, Iloilo province.

Before the tragic incident happened, Jessmar Farparan Gonzaga, 37 years old and married, reportedly saved a local tourist from drowning in Bugsukan Falls, Miag-ao.

The victim was a councilman (kagawad) of Barangay Dalije, Miag-ao, and the vice president of the Tour Guides Association in Miag-ao.

According to Police Lieutenant Lunelyn Talamillo, deputy chief of police of Miag-ao Municipal Police Station, Gonzaga served as a guide to four local tourists (three females and one male) at Bugsukan Falls in Barangay Dalije past 4 p.m. on February 3.

Later, one of the women out on a swim called out for help, as she reportedly had a hard time moving her feet. Gonzaga jumped into the water and rescued the woman.

He guided her to a safe place by having her scramble on rocks. However, the tour guide disappeared into the water.

Talamillo said that a resident of Dalije dived into the area where Gonzaga was last seen. His body was retrieved later from the exact spot he was last seen by the tourists.

Gonzaga was taken to the Miag-ao Rural Health Unit, but he was already dead. - GMA Regional TV

via MGFerrer/GMA Super Radyo News Desk