8 dead in Calabarzon Holy Week drowning incidents

Eight people have been reported killed in separate drowning incidents in the provinces of Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon during the Lenten season, police said Saturday.

According to Police Regional Office IV-A (Calabarzon), the province of Batangas recorded the most number of drowning incidents with five victims. 

In Punta Aguila Beach Resort in Barangay Subukin, San Juan, Batangas, three-year old Mariel Macalalad drowned while swimming at about around 9:30 p.m. at Punta Aguila Beach Resort in Barangay Subukin on Maundy Thursday.

Also on Thursday, the body of Filipino-Australian Patrick Gangelberger was found around 6 p.m. on the coast of Barangay Olo-Olo, Lobo, Batangas.

Gangelberger was said to be drunk when he went to a deep portion of the sea to swim.

In Sto. Tomas town, Kerby Sanchez drowned in a swimming pool around 1:30 p.m. at Avida Resort in Barangay San Antonio on Good Friday.

Also on Friday, Eljon Eragan drowned around 9 a.m. on the coast of Barangay Calayo, Nasugbu.

Meanwhile, authorities are still searching for Arvin Gagalang, who went missing after he dived in Taal lake in Laurel, Batangas.

In Binangonan, Rizal, Francis Macatol was found dead in a swimming pool around 3:35 a.m. on Thursday at Marlew Resort in Barangay Tayuman.

In adjacent resorts in Barangay Malapat and Labayat in Real, Quezon, two victims identified as Art Batallones and a certain Kiel drowned on Friday. Both victims are from Quezon City.

The Calabarzon Police said the victims were brought to nearby hospitals but were declared dead-on-arrival. —Peewee Bacuño with Ted Cordero/LBG, GMA News