6 drown in Northern Luzon

MANILA, Philippines — Six persons drowned in separate incidents in Cagayan, Isabela and Pangasinan on Saturday.

The bodies of Jeric Manzano, 25; Reynaldo Baquiran, 44, and a man who has yet to be identified were recovered in a pond in Barangay Mocag, Baggao; on a beach in Amunitan, Gonzaga, and in Cagayan river in Bayo, Iguig, respectively, according to Maj. Sharon Malillin, Cagayan police spokesperson.

Alaine Lizarte, 10, was carried away by the strong current during a family outing in Pinacanauan river in Barangay Batong Labang, Ilagan City, Isabela.

In Pangasinan, the bodies of Gil Salva, 45, and Jaime Cadorna, 59, were found floating in Agno River.

Police said Salva, said to be suffering from a mental illness, left his home in Barangay Diaz, Bautista on Friday.

Cadorna reportedly failed to surface after he went diving in Agno River.

Col. Bernard Banac, Philippine National Police  spokesman, said they received reports that 30 persons drowned across the country from April 5 to 20.

Banac said eight incidents were reported in Calabarzon, seven in Central Luzon, six in Central Visayas, three in Ilocos, two in Cagayan Valley and one each in Mimaropa, Northern Mindanao, Caraga and Metro Manila.

Banac said they are collating other drowning incidents in the past week.

“We have been reminding the public to be extra careful,” Banac said in an interview over dzBB. – Raymund Catindig, Cesar Ramirez