DFA condoles with kin of couple who drowned in Maldives, assures assistance

Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Teddy Locsin Jr. expressed his condolences on Monday to the families of the couple who drowned in Maldives, assuring them of assistance in the repatriation of the couple's remains.

According to a DFA statement, the Philippine Embassy in Dhaka, which has jurisdiction over Maldives, has been instructed to coordinate with the authorities in Maldives and arrange for the repatriation of the bodies.

Authorities reported that the newlywed Filipino couple Erica Joyce and Leomer Lagradilla were guests in a resort in Dhiffushi island and were snorkeling when they started to drown. Both were rescued by resort workers but where pronounced dead upon arrival at the local hospital.

Authorities are reporting the incident, reports said.

The couple, both from Laguna, just got married on December 18 and left Manila for their honeymoon on January 9. —Kaela Malig/ LDF, GMA News