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DPS recognizes the men who rescued boys from drowning
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Posted on Mar 21 2006
The Department of Public Safety yesterday handed certificates of recognition to two of the three men who rescued two children from drowning at the beach near Hyatt Regency Hotel in Garapan.
Ono Harumitsu and Ronald Chisato, both 29, received the certificates that praised their heroic efforts. DPS officials, led by Commissioner Ernest Mark Williams, visited the two’s jobsite at Windsurfing Saipan Inc. located at Hyatt’s beach.
Harumitsu is the manager of Windsurfing Saipan, while Chisato is the company’s windsurfing instructor. Both are certified lifeguards.
DPS failed to locate the third rescuer, Lito Lumbana, to give him the same award.
The Saipan Tribune learned yesterday that Lumbana is a 37-year-old Filipino cook at Easy Kitchen Restaurant. He is a former seaman and a certified first aid provider.
Harumitsu and Chisato were the ones who jumped into the water and picked up the two boys, who were already unconscious. Lumbana also jumped into the water and assisted Chisato in carrying the second victim. Harumitsu and Lumbana applied CPR that caused the victims to expel the water they had breathed in.
Williams said it is an honor to give recognition to the for their heroic act.
Williams said it was the recommendation of Sgt. Juan Diaz, commander of the DPS Boating Safety, to give awards to the rescuers.
Diaz read the certificates that cited Harumitsu, Chisato, and Lumbana “for [their] heroic efforts above and beyond the call of duty when [they] saved the lives of two minor children who had nearly drowned off the shores of Micro Beach on Saturday, March 18, 2006.”
Also present in the ceremony was DPS Deputy Commissioner Juan Wabol and DPS spokesman Ken Concepcion.
Chisato said he is overwhelmed with the award and that he did not expect it.
“I feel good that I saved the life of one child,” Chisato said, adding that he would do it again if he encounters the same situation.
Police investigation showed that the three three boys had jumped into the water to catch a big fish but they were overwhelmed by big waves. Only the third boy managed to run to the shore and scream for help.
