A three-year-old boy was rescued after falling into an under-construction drainage canal along Ison Site De Gloria Extension, Batasan Hills, Quezon City.
The incident occurred on Monday while the habagat (southwest monsoon) was affecting large parts of Luzon and Metro Manila. A video of the rescue went viral on social media, with netizens praising the father for bravely jumping into the strong current without hesitation to save his son.
In an interview with DZRH on Wednesday, the father, Jay Mar Pedral, 39 —who works as a construction worker—shared that he didn't notice his child following him before the incident. Upon seeing his son fall into the drainage, he acted on instinct.
"Parang nawala na po ako, ang alam ko lang iligtas ko ang anak ko," the father said. "Pagtingin ko, dumiresto na akong tumalon para makuha ko."
He expressed gratitude to the neighbors who helped during the rescue, especially to the man wearing red shorts in the video, whom he said he had just met during the incident.
According to residents, the father was on his way to pick up his other child from school, which had suspended classes due to the bad weather, when the incident occurred. They said the boy suddenly followed his father and accidentally slipped into the rushing water.
Pedral sustained minor injuries to his forehead and knees after jumping in to rescue his son. Residents added that the creek beside the road had overflowed, causing the floodwaters to rise rapidly.
As of last night, the child was reportedly experiencing diarrhea and is scheduled for a check-up with a doctor.
The rescued boy is the youngest of three siblings.
The father shared that since the video went viral, many people have reached out to offer help to their family.
