ACERT staff accused of lack of sympathy

CEBU, Philippines - The Mandaue City administrator isn't happy these days with some personnel of the Accident Control Emergency Rescue Team after learning about their alleged halfhearted attempt to rescue a boy from drowning in the Butuanon river Saturday in barangay Tingub, Mandaue City.

Abadia said if their laxity caused the death of 10-year- old Crislee Villarin, then these men could be held liable.

Residents in the area alleged ACERT personnel were hesitant to rescue the boy, prompting a city hall worker who was in the neighborhood to jump into the water himself and bring the boy to the riverbank.

The city hall worker then administered mouth-to-mouth resuscitation but his efforts failed to revive the boy, so he asked ACERT personnel to take over.

One of the personnel obliged but before conducting a mouth-to-mouth resuscitation he allegedly placed two fingers over the boy's lips, residents said.

"Mura man to siya og giloud busa migamit sa iyang duha ka kamot," the city hall workers said.

It was also the city hall worker himself who carried the child to the ACERT vehicle.

The boy was declared dead on arrival.

ACERT director Mario Perez said he has yet to identify the ACERT personnel who responded to the alarm as he was out of the office that day.

The city government will give P5,000, canned goods, and rice once DSWD's recommendation is approved by the city council.