Two teenagers drowned in the Angalacan River in Mangaldan, Pangasinan during an afternoon swim.

Police said the incident happened afternoon on Sunday, December 13, 2025, when six teenage friends went swimming at the river. A video taken moments before the incident showed the group laughing and enjoying the water. Moments later, the situation changed when one of them drifted into a deeper portion of the river.

According to authorities, 17-year-old Oliver Erosa tried to rescue his friend and succeeded but he was swept away by the strong current. Another teen, 16-year-old Jhon Paul Natavio, attempted to save Erosa but was also swept away by the water.

“According sa report na na-receive namin, dumating sila sa Angalacan River para mag-swimming. According sa ating mga witness, nakitang nagkakasiyahan ‘yung anim na bata. Maya-maya, nagkakasigawan na, inanod na pala ‘yung mga bata sa malalim na portion ng river,” PLtCol. Perlito Tuayon, chief of the Mangaldan Police Station, said.

Rescuers recovered Erosa’s body later. Natavio’s body was found the following morning in Barangay Casibong, San Jacinto, Pangasinan.

Erosa’s mother, Lourdes, said the parents did not know that the boys went to the river.

“’Yung mga magulang, hindi naman nila alam na pupunta sa ilog mga anak nila, kasi kumuha pa sila ng mangga, akala dito lang sa likod kakainin, ‘yun pala didiretso na sila doon. ‘Yung anak ko ayaw talaga, napilitan lang kasi kasama ‘yung kapatid niya,” she said.

Police said there was no foul play involved and described the incident as an accident caused by strong river currents.

“Purely accident po ito, out of curiosity. Malakas po kasi ang ragasa ng tubig kaya inanod sila sa malalim na portion ng tubig, kaya aksidente po ang nangyari,” Tuayon added.

Authorities reminded the public to be cautious when swimming in rivers, especially during times when water levels and currents can become dangerous suddenly.