A family outing turned tragic after a 17-year-old boy drowned in the Angalacan River in Barangay Inlambo, Mangaldan, Pangasinan on Sunday, January 4, 2025.

Police identified the victim as Dave Balanon, a resident of the area. According to investigators, the victim was with relatives and friends who went to the river for a picnic at around noon on January 4.

Police said the group, composed of about 10 relatives, had been drinking alcohol before deciding to swim in the river at around 5 p.m. Balanon was among those who jumped into the water.

A relative tried to stop him, but the victim insisted on swimming.

“Bigla na s’ya talon, pinigilan ko pa. Sabi naman niya buhay niya raw ‘yun, s’ya daw masusunod,” John Mark Ferreon, a relative, said.

Two other teenagers also jumped into the river and nearly drowned but managed to survive after holding on to a raft. They attempted to rescue Balanon but failed due to his weight and the strong river current, which carried him away.

Mangaldan Police Station chief PLtCol. Perlito Tuayon said visibility was poor at the time of the incident.

“Lumubog siya sa tubig at medyo madilim na ang lugar kaya madilim na rin ‘yung ilog kaya hindi siya agad narekober. Nagtulong-tulong na ‘yung taumbayan at nandiyan na rin ‘yung mga rescuer natin,” he said.

Authorities and volunteers searched the area, and the victim’s body was recovered at around 8 p.m.

The victim’s grandmother, Elena Biala, expressed her grief.

“Masakit, sobrang sakit. Mahal na mahal ko ‘yung apo ko,” she said.

Authorities renewed their warning to the public to be cautious when swimming in the Angalacan River, noting that some sections are deep and unsafe for swimming. They also reminded residents that swimming while intoxicated is strictly prohibited to prevent similar incidents.