A 14-year-old boy drowned after he was swept away by strong waves while swimming with his cousins in the sea in Barangay Pinipin, Sta. Cruz, Ilocos Sur.

According to authorities, the victim and his two cousins were enjoying their time at the beach when the strong current pulled him under. Rescue teams struggled to find the boy because of the rough sea.

It took more than 10 hours before his body was found and retrieved the next morning.

His two cousins are safe.

“Ayon sa barangay captain ng Barangay Pinipin, palagi raw nakikita 'tong mga batang 'to na naliligo at nagba-bike. After nila mag-bike, doon sila dumidiretso sa dagat, naliligo at nagkakasiyahan,” ENS Jayvee Bilgera, officer-in-charge of the Philippine Coast Guard–Coast Guard Maritime Team Sta. Cruz, said.

“During that time na naliligo sila sa dagat, sobrang lakas kasi ng alon kaya nangyari 'tong unfortunate incident. Kaya kapag ganitong malakas ang alon sa dagat, 'wag na 'wag po tayong maliligo,” he added.

The family of the victim has yet to issue a statement.