Coast Guard: 2 student athletes drown in Misamis

Two student athletes drowned while swimming near a beach resort in Plaridel town in Misamis Occidental province Friday, with one reported dead and the other still missing as of Saturday, the Philippine Coast Guard said.

 

Citing initial information reaching its action center in Manila, the PCG said the incident occurred at about 5:30 a.m. Friday.

 

It identified the two as Gerald Jay Penarejo and Renz Estanero, both 14 years old, and residents of Barangay Digson in Bonifacio, Misamis Occidental.

 

The PCG said the two were among four athletes from Palarong Panlalawigan who went swimming at the Plaridel Beach along Northern Poblacion.

 

Penarejo was recovered at the shoreline in Barangay Kauswagan, Plaridel, at 8:30 a.m. He was pronounced dead on arrival at Tan Hospital.

 

Search teams failed to find Estanero and were forced to suspend their search due to big waves and strong winds in the area. — ELR, GMA News