Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Emergency Response topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Guam legislators honor Park Police, GPD and GFD personnel for lifesaving rescue after Typhoon Laku
Summary
The Guam Legislature presented Lifesaving Awards to Park Police, Guam Police Department and Guam Fire Department personnel who rescued a woman from rough surf immediately after Typhoon Laku, praising interagency teamwork and the risks responders faced during the storm.
Senator Therese Turlahi presented certificates on behalf of the Guam Legislature on the steps of the Guam Congress Building Thursday, honoring Park Police, Guam Police Department (GPD) and Guam Fire Department (GFD) personnel for a rescue carried out in dangerous conditions after Typhoon Laku.
"I know that the challenges that these gentlemen went through," said Palatir, deputy director of the Department of Parks and Recreation, who noted he is an inactive scuba-diving instructor and boat captain and praised the responders' actions during the storm. "You guys are the heroes out there, and you're the heroes for this lady's family."
Chief Joey Terlahi, chief of the Park Police, said officers "really put themselves in harm's way" and described the incident as happening amid ongoing typhoon conditions. He emphasized his concern for officers' well-being while praising the teams' accountability and training.
A Park Police representative gave a detailed account of the rescue: after the storm a woman described as confused walked down a rocky ledge at Ypao Beach toward Deepau Beach Shelters G and H and jumped into rough, dangerous waters. Park Police Sergeant Joseph Gaputin, Sergeant Roki Pangilinan and Lieutenant Anthony Martinez entered the surf to reach her, fought strong currents and brought her to safety. Other GPD officers arrived with a rope fashioned into a rescue harness to hoist the woman up from slippery rocks, and GFD medics transported her to Guam Memorial Hospital; she was later transferred to Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center.
The organizers said the coordinated response—including officers entering surf that reached depths of around 10 feet and battling rough currents—warranted the Lifesaving Award. Senator William Parkinson urged community support for public-safety agencies and highlighted the multiple resources and personnel involved in saving one life.
Certificates were presented to Park Police Lieutenant Anthony Martinez, Park Police Lieutenant Kian Pangilinan, Park Police Sergeant Joseph Gaputin, Park Police Sergeant Roki Pangilinan, Guam Police Sergeant Sotero Opindo, Guam Police Officer Dwayne S. Cruz, Guam Police Officer Johnson/John Saint Nicholas, and GFD medics Joshua M. N. Sablan, Avery S. Fernandez and Roland Balaja/Balahajet. The ceremony closed with thanks to responders from the legislature and a group photo.
