Camotes fisherman, 2 others get awards

RESCUE OF KOREAN DIVERS

Korean Consul General Lee Ki-seog (2nd from left) hands over plaques of recognition to fisherman Samson Sumie (from left), Sandy Martin Berame and Lt. Reynante Villela, who represented Lt. James Reyes, for helping in the search and rescue of the three Korean divers. (CDN PHOTO/ LITO TECSON)

When he single-handedly rescued a Korean diver floating off the shores of Camotes Island, 48-year old fisherman Samson Sumile only had one thing in his mind – to save the person.

Sumile, who also tills his own small farm in San Francisco, Camotes, expressed his surprise and was humbled when he learned that he will be recognized for his heroic act.

“Daku kaayong dungog ni para nako. Bisan sa akong pagka way grado ug pagka pobre. Wa ko nagtuo nga makasaka ko ani lugara ug makahimamat aning mga tawhana nga naay mga grado (This is a huge honor for me.

Despite my lack of education and poverty, I didn’t expect that I would be in this place and be recognized by these people with distinction),” Sumile said.

Sumile, together with two other individuals were recognized yesterday morning by the Korean Consulate Office in Cebu.

Consul General Lee Ki-seog personally handed the plaque of appreciation and a gift bag to Sumile, Lapu-Lapu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office head Sandy Martin Berame and Lt. James Reyes of the Naval Forces Central of the Philippine Navy at the Korean consular office at the Cebu Business Park.

Sumile received another P50,000 from the family of Kim Eun, the female diver whom he saved. She was among the three Korean nationals who went missing after they went diving off the waters in Lapu-Lapu City last month.

He recalled that he first noticed Kim’s head and when he went near her, he saw the diver almost unconscious and clinging to a buoy.

Without having second thoughts, he lifted Kim up on his pumpboat.

“Motabang lang man gyud ko kung kinsa nanginahanglan ug tabang. Wa ko magdahom nga matawag ko nilang bayani. Ang ako lang, makatabang ko (I would always help if there’s somebody who needs it. I didn’t expect them to call me a hero. I just wanted to help),” he said.

Sumile has six children, four of which are studying. He said he’ll use the reward money to support the schooling of his children.

The consulate also recognized Berame’s help being the sole contact person for the different teams that helped in the search and rescue operations.

Reyes, who wasn’t able to attend yesterday’s ceremony, was also recognized for leading the Philippine Navy team in escorting the two survivors, Kim Eun and Baek Seung Kyoon from Camotes Island to Lapu-Lapu City.

The cadaver of the third diver Heo Seung Yung was also transported using a chopper by the Navy.

“I would like to extend my warmest thanks to all the people and organization who has been part of the operation. The Consulate has been very thankful to all the support and assistance these people has extended,” consul general Lee said in a speech.

“I am hopeful that all of you will continue and cooperate with each other in times of crisis,” he added.