BUTUAN, Philippines — Four children drowned on a beach in Purok 1 in Barangay Tambacan in Iligan City on Thursday.
The victims were identified as Jocel Sarsaba, 7; her brothers Jomar, 6, and Junrey, 12, and their cousin Neijel Mae Marilog, 6.
A nine-year-old cousin of the fatalities remains missing.
Police said the father of the Sarsaba siblings, Primitivo, 38, was preparing their food in one of the cottages on Tambacan beach when one of his children shouted for help.
Primitivo said he tried to rescue his daughter, but the other children followed him and were swept away by the strong current.