MANILA, Philippines — What was supposed to be a seaborne mission to save lives ended up to be a tragedy after a police officer died while saving his companions from drowning during the onslaught of heavy rains and floods due to Tropical Cyclones Maymay, Luis and southwest monsoon or Habagat.
Master Sgt. Fernando Marfa Jr., 40, a traffic investigator of the Cadiz Component City Police Station and a deputized member of the Bantay Dagat, was swept away by strong river currents during a rescue attempt in Sitio Bisan, Barangay Luna, Cadiz City in Negros Occidental.
Marfa, a resident of Barangay Tinampa-an, was then conducting a seaborne patrol together with three civilian companions from when the incident took place, initial police investigations showed.
According to reports, they were aboard a motorized banca when water suddenly entered the vessel while they were crossing the river, Cadiz police said.
All four passengers disembarked from the banca. However, two of the civilians, identified as Alnaven Rull and Elmer Terencio Jr., were carried away by the strong currents.
Marfa’s two companions were saved but he was swept downstream and disappeared.
For nearly an hour, personnel from the Cadiz Component City Police Station and the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office conducted an intensive search and retrieval operation.
When rescuers finally recovered Marfa, he was immediately brought to the Cadiz District Hospital but was declared dead on arrival. Medical findings later confirmed that the cause of death was asphyxia due to drowning.
Col. Allen Rae Co, PNP spokesman said Philippine National Police expresses condolences to their fallen comrade.
He said the full benefits that Marfa’s family will be receiving is now being processed.
