Enlisted Navy Seamarshall onboard MV Aquinas hailed as HERO
Enlisted Navy Seamarshall onboard MV Aquinas hailed as HERO
An enlisted Philippine navy personnel identified as Seaman First Radarman (S1RD) Richard Pestillos has been hailed a hero after rescuing the passengers of the ill-fated MV St. Thomas Aquinas following a collision with a cargo ship off the coast of Talisay City, Cebu.
Philippine Navy spokesman Lt. Comdr. Gregory Fabic said S1RD Richard Pestillos assisted the Aquinas crew distribute life vests and jackets to the passengers before jumping off the ship before it sank on Friday night. While in the water, Pestillos risked his own life to save five more passengers, including two children.
"But his persistence of saving people did not end there and while on water, S1RD Pestillos was able to rescue and bring to a life raft two children and five adults, before he was eventually rescued himself by the crew of freighter M/V Sulpicio 7," Fabic said.
Fabic said Pestillos suffered contusions in the back but he is now in a stable condition at the Pier 4 Hotel in Cebu. -PhilStar news