3 boys feared drowned in Tullahan River

MANILA, Philippines — Three boys yesterday remained missing after they were carried away by the current of Tullahan River in Valenzuela after a sudden downpour Sunday afternoon.

Siblings Rheniel and Kerby Tejadilla, 13 and 10, and Jillian Salud, 10, were playing basketball and waded into the river to retrieve the ball, when the current suddenly swelled and carried them away, according to rescue officer Christopher de Jesus of the Valenzuela City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.

Heavy rains still pounded Metro Manila Sunday, a day after being placed under signal number one due to Typhoon Ompong.

Rescuers found it difficult to retrieve the boys’ bodies due to the muddy waters of the river in the aftermath of the typhoon, rescuers said.

Rheniel and Kerby’s mother Analiza and Jillian’s mother Nellie Gingo said they have not slept since Sunday afternoon, and that they have been informed the boys may not have survived.

At least 15 rescue workers were deployed yesterday to retrieve the boys.

Valenzuela Mayor Rexlon Gatchalian yesterday dropped by the rescue site to assure the parents of the city’s retrieval operations.