Two separate drowning incidents in Cagayan and Isabela claimed the lives of five teenagers within just two days, triggering calls for stricter safety measures in resorts and rivers as the academic year nears.
In Buguey, Cagayan, siblings Marianne Erica Yoro, 18, and Ricky John Yoro, 13, were found lifeless and locked in an embrace beneath the river near San Lorenzo Nature Spring Resort in Barangay San Lorenzo.
“Nakita na lang po ‘yung magkapatid 20 meters away mula sa resort. Labas na po ng resort na nakita ‘yung magkapatid. Parang magkayakap po sila. Hawak-hawak po niya ‘yung kapatid niyang babae. Nandoon po sila sa tubig nakita,” Billy Ponce, OIC of the MDRRMO-Buguey, said.
According to the family, they thought the siblings were just swimming elsewhere inside the resort.
It was only when the group was preparing to go home that they realized the two were missing.
Ponce said the resort lacked important safety features.
“Ang kasalanan ng resort, wala rin kasi silang mga bakod, signages na bawal maligo sa malalalim na parte o kaya may bakod para lahat hindi lumagpas,” he said.
“Sinasuggest natin na mag-stop muna ng operation ‘yung resort pansamantala. Mag-secure po muna sila ng mga requirements nila,” he added.
In Tumauini, Isabela, three 19-year-old friends drowned in the Avvu River in Barangay Sisim Alto after going for a swim. The victims were identified as Vince Aldray Arugay, Samson Tagao, and Rayver Tandayu.
A concerned citizen first spotted one body floating and called the police. Authorities found the other two victims side-by-side underwater during a rescue operation.
“Sa pag-alis na sana kami, nakita namin tatlo ‘yun. Baka meron pang dalawa sa loob. So, humingi kami ng tulong sa rescue 881 na sisirin nila. Pagsisid nila, nakita nila ‘yung dalawa doon sa loob na magkatabi. I can assure na hindi po sila lasing, kasi nakita po namin doon na walang bote ng alak,” PMAJ Melchor Aggabao, Tumauini Police Chief, said.
The three were pronounced dead on arrival at Tumauini Community Hospital.
Aggabao left a reminder for all.
“Kahit gaano ka kagaling lumangoy, walang magaling sa tubig. Ingat-ingat po tayo, since paparating na po ‘yung pasukan, huwag nang humabol mag-picnic sa ilog or bodies of water na unsafe,” he said.
