The old man climbs a ladder let down by police officers at the side of MacArthur Bridge in Manila. (Photo from a video by Jose Commandante Jr.)
MANILA, Philippines — A police officer of the Manila District Traffic Enforcement Unit (MDTEU) rescued on Monday an elderly woman from drowning in the Pasig River.
According to the Manila Police District (MPD), Cpl. Romeo Balagtas Jr. and Pat. Lester Magno were directing traffic at Plaza Santa Cruz when they received a report that an elderly woman accidentally “slipped” off MacArthur Bridge and fell into Pasig River.
The officers rushed to the bridge and saw the woman just holding on to a thick water lily.
Balagtas waded into the river and let the woman hold on his back. Meanwhile, other police officers at the side of the bridge let down a ladder which the woman and Balagtas used to climb back up.
The Manila Public Information Office posted a video, credited to Jose Comandante Jr., on its Facebook page.
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