Chinese couple saved from drowning

A newly wed Chinese couple were saved from drowning by the personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard here Sunday noon.

Lt. Commander Jimmy Oliver Vingno, PCG-Caticlan chief, identified the couple as Yuan Qiang Wu, 27, and his wife Chun Lan Li, 29, of Canton province, China.

They were rescued by PO3 Mark Anthony Sumanoy, 29, of San Fernando, Romblon and SN2 Dan Arvin Goboy, 28, of Laua-an, Antique. Local vendor Romel Alonsagay, 33, also assisted in the rescue.

"I will recommend that they will be given due recognition from the higher ups," said Vingno.

"The two were having fun together at Puka Beach when strong waves overcame them. Fortunately, our PCG personnel were at the area and they immediately came to the rescue.

Both Sumanoy and Goboy had already saved several victims of drowning incidents in this resort island in the past three years.

Wu, in an interview, said that they only got married in China on May 6 and decided to go to Boracay for their honeymoon.

During the drowning, Wu held Li's body above the surface of the water and pushed her to the nearest beach. It was another tourist who was also swimming who shouted for help and called the attention of the coast guard.

They were then transferred to a private medical clinic here for examination.

"I consider the PCG personnel as our angels. In China, we consider it as a fortunate sign when lives had been saved," said Wu in an interview Monday.