Talisay To Commend Barangay Official and Residents for Heroic Deed

A barangay councilman and four residents in Barangay Cansojong, Talisay City was commended by the Talisay City Council today for their “heroic deed” during the sea mishap last August 16.

Cansojong Barangay Councilman Junjun Capala, Dennis Reyes, Eddie Boy Reyes, Joel Rabago and Bryan Malacay were among those to receive commendation from the council today. The group were among those who helped saved at least 13 lives when MV St. Thomas Aquinas sank off the waters of Talisay City after it collided with MV Sulpicio Express 7 the other week.

According to report, it was Dennis Reyes, who was at the beach of Cansojong, who first saw the incident and upon seeing that there were flares in one of the vessels, he immediately perceived it to be a disaster. Without wasting a minute, Reyes ran to the houses of Eddie Boy Reyes, Rabago, Malacay and Capala to create a rescue team. At this juncture, the group also called up the Philippine Navy, numerous members of the fisherfolks, to inform them of the accident and that they had to prepare themselves for a search and rescue operation.

“Mr. Reyes and companions did their voluntary and courageous act without consideration for the safety of their own lives to save the lives of the victims of this sea tragedy. It is most worthy for the City of Talisay to extend a token for the heroic act of Mr. Dennis C. Reyes,” read a resolution authored by Talisay City Councilor Antonio D. Bacaltos.

Bacaltos also commended the Fishermans Sea Ecological Care (FISECA) for helping out in the giving of food and water to the survivors, after they were brought ashore.

“The members of FISECA  and the nearby resident of Barangay Cansojong did this valiant effort with absolute voluntarism and this action must be considered a heroic act in their selfless act to help their fellowman,” stated in Bacaltos’s resolution.