Summer of 2001. The scorching heat had been drawing people from nearby areas of Roxas Boulevard to cool off in the inviting waters of the Manila Bay. Children with their parents frolicked in the cool waters while some were content to sit by the breakwater to admire the view.
It was impossible to imagine how a day of leisure could turn into a tragedy.
About 9:30 a.m. of April 22, 2001, tsunami-like waves began to build up at Manila Bay, striking with the inner breakwater and sea walls with ferocity. The undertow of the freak waves dragged the swimmers back to the sea.
There was a great panic and pandemonium among the onlookers. Eliajay Lacar helplessly watched the tragedy. Then he remembered 117. He quickly reached for his cell phone.
The call center operator received Lacar’s frantic SOS and immediately relayed the information to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) at the Port Area in Manila for emergency assistance.
PO2 Celestino Barrientos of the PCG’s SOG Team was dispatched immediately on board a rigid intervention boat. Barrientos’ team raced to the breakwater at the South Harbor entrance.
They were urged by the crew of the M/B Patricia to proceed with great haste as many still needed help. The M/B Patricia was carrying survivors they had already rescued. The PCG dispatched another team on board a rubber boat in the search and rescue operations.
Meanwhile, the 117 operator relayed the information to the Emergency Assistance and Response Network (EARNet) for medical assistance. EARnet’s satellite office in Pasay City dispatched its emergency medical service team (EMS) headed by FO1 Glenn Quilang, who arrived at the scene less than 10 minutes after the call was received. Another team from its central office in Cubao, Quezon City joined in taking the survivors to nearby hospitals.
Reports showed that the freak waves reached about eight to 10 feet above the breakwater along Roxas Boulevard between the Manila Yacht Club basin and US Embassy.
"We immediately provided first aid assistance to the victims, who were still in shock. We brought them to the Philippine General Hospital and Ospital ng Maynila for proper medical treatment," said EARnest chief Inspector Joseph Bacareza.
A total of 20 swimmers were rescued, most of them children. Among the survivors were one-year-old Angelo Tosa, his brother John Mark, 5; Mayan Malipay, 14; Analiza Mendoza, 29; Elisa Villafuerte, 34; Leslie Briloy, 18; Rodman Mendoza, 8; Bernie Serilan, 5; Shiela May Salola, 5; Johnny Bacongan, one year and five months old; Ritchell Murillo, 16; Irish Edith Bariga, 9; Mary Jane Mendoza, 25; Jennilyn Bacongan, 15; Jeffrey Bacongan, 10; Donna Solita, 16; and brother Jeffrey Solita, 14, who were all brought to the Ospital ng Maynila. Ernesto Mendoza, 3, was taken to PGH, while Eric Villafuerte, 14, and a certain Gina were sent home after being given first aid by the EMS team.
Two-year-old Jhelyn Villafuerte drowned that morning.
Darkness forced the search operation to be called off at 6:45 p.m. Several children were still missing and presumed dead.
Although traumatized by the experience, the victims have remained grateful to this day that rescuers arrived on time. Most of all, they are thankful to Eliajay Lacar and the prompt and efficient relaying of information by the 117 operator to the rescue units.
Philippine Coast Guard and EARnet EMS teams saved many lives that day. It was because of their heroism that the Manila Bay survivors, mostly children, still enjoy the many things life has in store for them.