5 get job for saving drowning girls

NORTH COTABATO, Philippines — Five villagers were hired into the provincial rescue team for saving two girls from drowning in Makilala town on Thursday.

Ramcis Damali, Richard Cuenca, Nobenloi Laresa, Julius Onto and Cesar Pampangan were hired by Gov. Nancy Catamco after their act of rescuing Aziah Yhanes Deo, 7, and Mayzel Cortez, 3, went viral on social media.

The girls were walking in Sitio Pangayasan in Barangay Kisante when they were carried away by the floodwaters.

The girls were taken to a nearby hospital for medical checkup.

Catamco, chairperson of the provincial disaster risk reduction and management council, said yesterday that the five are now official members of the emergency response and rescue team.

“I was impressed with their show of courage and dedication to help people in distress. What a brave group of men,” Catamco said.

The municipal government of Makilala said Damali, Cuenca, Laresa, Onto and Pampangan would be given special citations for their bravery.