President Rodrigo Duterte met with hero surfer Roger Casugay, who has been praised for rescuing his Indonesian rival from drowning during the 30th Southeast Asian Games.
Casugay and the Philippine surfing team had paid a courtesy call on Duterte on Tuesday, according to photos released by the Palace to the media on Wednesday.
Indonesian Arip Nurhidayat was tossed away from his surfboard by a strong wave during the men’s longboard surfing competition in San Juan, La Union on December 6 when Casugay rescued him.
Casugay,25, immediately won the hearts of the netizens for his heroic deed and had also won the gold medal in the men’s longboard on Sunday.
He was also esteemed by Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo on Monday for his heroic act.
Roger Casugay received the Order of Lapu-Lapu award from President Duterte.
The Order of Lapu-Lapu award or Executive Order (EO) No.35 was a recognition given to any Filipino citizen who has demonstrated an invaluable service in relation to the advocacy of the President.
