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, married, saved reportedly a local tourist from drowning in Bugsukan Falls, Miag-ao.

The victim is a councilman (kagawad) of Barangay Dalije, Miag-ao and the vice president of 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 guide to four local tourists (three females, one male) to Bugsukan falls in Barangay Dalije at past 4 p.m. on February 3, 2024.

Later on, 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 led her to scramble on rocks leading to a safe area. 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 on 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. 

(via MGFerrer/GMA Super Radyo News Desk; Photo courtesy: Miag-ao Municipal Police Station)