3 US soldiers save drowning woman

By Freddie Lazaro

NARVACAN, Ilocos Sur — Three members of the United States Marines Corps taking part in the ongoing RP-US Balikatan humanitarian program saved a 23-year-old woman who almost drowned in a swimming pool at the Smurf Beach Resort in Barangay Darapidap, Candon City at 10 p.m. on March 1.

Col. Eduardo Collado, Head of Joint CMO Task Force and the Deputy Commander of the Army’s 503rd Infantry Brigade, identified the rescued victim as Melissa Viloria, a resident of the said place.

She was saved by soldiers identified only as SPCs Wilson, Pierce and Lowe who arrived at the beach to unwind after attending the launching of a humanitarian assistance program in the province.

When the soldiers heard loud splashes in the nearby pool and a woman screaming for help, SPC Wilson wasted no time, checked the area and jumped in the pool to rescue Veloria.

Simultaneously, 1st Lt. Tyler Van Zandt and his men arrived in the place and heard the commotion.

Upon finding out what was happening, Zandt immediately called for medics who revived Viloria.

She was brought to the nearest hospital for further care and treatment and when she finally recovered from the incident, she went back to the resort and thanked the three US soldiers who saved her life.