San Jose, Nueva Ecija — A nurse and dedicated disaster responder from Zamboanga del Sur lost his life during a rescue mission here amid the recent typhoons.
Alvin Jalasan Velasco, an active member of the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, was part of a team conducting rescue operations in Nueva Ecija when he was swept away by strong currents.
Velasco, a native of Aurora, Zamboanga del Sur, who married a San Jose City resident, was known for his bravery and dedication as a frontline worker.
During recent flooding, his unwavering determination to rescue residents proved costly when strong currents pulled one of his colleagues away from the group.
Without hesitation, a person beside Velasco immediately grabbed the struggling colleague, and Velasco, in turn, grabbed the second person to help.
However, the raging water intensified, overwhelming all three. They attempted to return to safety, but the strong current pulled Velasco further out until he disappeared from sight.