CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — A self-confessed rugby boy (solvent user) saved a 16-year-old girl from drowning in the Cagayan de Oro River near the city hall on Friday afternoon.

Alias Dodong was sitting under the Ysalina bridge near the city hall when he saw the girl in school uniform loitering near the bridge.

The girl appeared to be suffering from depression and was contemplating suicide by jumping into the river. However, since the bridge was too high, the girl tried to climb down to the river but slipped, causing her to fall into the water.

Dodong saw the girl waving her hands as she was carried down by the current. Without any hesitation, he jumped into the river and pulled the girl to the bank, where rescue workers were waiting.

The girl was rushed to the hospital for treatment.

Dodong told a radio interviewer that this was the second time he had saved someone from the river. He said the first time was also a girl who had attempted suicide by jumping into the river.

"I just saw her in trouble and I had to act," he said. "I'm glad I was able to help her."