In Iloilo, honoring a heroic act 41 years ago

STATUE of Boy Scout Roy Babas who died saving passengers of a ship in Estancia, Iloilo, 41 years ago. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

ILOILO CITY—Twelve-year-old Boy Scout Roy Babas stands tall in his hometown in Estancia in Iloilo, 41 years after his death.

A 4-foot tall statue of the boy was unveiled on Wednesday at Estancia Central Elementary School to honor the Grade 6 pupil who sacrificed his life to save others.

Among those who attended the unveiling were Iloilo

Gov. Arthur Defensor, members of the Boy Scout of the Philippines and relatives of Babas.

Babas, then a Grade 6 student, saved seven persons before he died with eight others, mostly youths, on Jan. 24, 1971, in an accident at Estancia Port, 170 kilometers northeast of here.

They were killed after a ship smashed the side of the pier causing a warehouse to collapse. Most of the dead were from poor families residing and working near the pier, according to a Manila Times report published on Jan. 25, 1971.

Jerry Bionat, a classmate and friend of Babas, said many passengers of the ship fell overboard when the vessel tilted after hitting the pier.

Babas had earned a living as a porter at the pier during weekends and holidays.

A good swimmer, he jumped into the water after the ship hit the pier and saved five passengers.

He climbed back to the pier to rest but jumped again after hearing more pleas for help, Bionat said.

When people at the pier called out to him to get out of the water, Babas answered: “I am a Boy Scout!”

The boy saved two more passengers but drowned when wooden boxes thrown out of the warehouse by the impact of the ship fell on his head.

Bionat, disaster risk reduction and management officer of Iloilo, said while at the wake of Babas 41 years ago, he had made a promise to build a monument to honor Babas’ heroism.

“He will always be a symbol of dedication and unselfishness,” said Bionat of his friend.