Jet skiers help rescue Iloilo residents

**Zeus** · June 23rd, 2008 06:16 PM

Some more good samaritans

Jet skiers help rescue Iloilo residents from floods

By Nestor P. Burgos Jr.
Visayas Bureau
First Posted 23:24:00 06/22/2008

ILOILO CITY -- For the past five years Rosendo Mejica II would often have fun with friends during most weekends jet skiing on the waters of Iloilo.
But last Saturday, Mejica and his buddies found themselves on their jet skis surfing not the sea but the flooded streets of Iloilo City and trying to pick up as many victims of the storm who were stranded on rooftops and trees.
"This is the first time that we tried this out because we wanted to help," Mejica told the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
Ten of them, all members of the Iloilo Watercraft Association, met around 11 a.m. on Saturday after they heard calls for owners of rubber boats and jet skis to help rescue residents trapped on rooftops who were trying to escape from rising waters.
The association's members are all professionals and businessman. Mejica is publisher of the community newspaper The News Today and owner of the Makinaugalingon Printing Press.
The group proceeded to the flooded areas in Jaro District around 2 p.m. with their jet skis in trailers attached to their vehicles.
Six of them were deployed near Barangay Tabuc Suba while the four others proceeded to the Ledesco subdivision area.
The group found themselves confronted by strong currents as they maneuvered through debris and vehicles stranded in the streets.
"We saw water all over with pockets of rooftops. Many of the victims were crying and pleading for us to come to them," said Mejica.
Mejica said he and his friend Al Estrella managed to pick up "only three" victims from a rooftop of a house near the Angelicum School.
Estrella rode with Mejica and assisted the victims in getting on Mejica's red 215-horse power jet ski. They first plucked out the two women on the roof and returned for their male companion.
Mejica said could not remember the names of those they rescued. "It was confusing and there were many others who wanted to be helped."
But he said they decided to call it a day three hours later because it was becoming too dangerous. "We saw pumpboats that attempted to reach the flooded areas but were swept away."
One of their friends, Oliver Abanilla, fell from his jet ski and sought refuge in one of the houses where he was stranded until early Sunday.
"We were worried about him because we have no training and experience on rescue efforts," said Mejica.
His jet ski had scratches all over probably after repeatedly hitting structures and other objects under the water. Those of his friends were also damaged.
"We tried it because we wanted to help. We can only do as much but it felt good being able to help," said Mejica.

**falken** · June 23rd, 2008 07:27 PM

More power to these guys. May God Bless Them!

**flakez** · June 23rd, 2008 07:53 PM

kudos to these guys! mahirap din un ah, lalo na isusugal nila ung mga jetski nila. actually, I sometimes see myself riding a jetski on our flooded streets.. but not helping, but playing. nyahahaha