3 missing in Zambales town amid strong sea current

SUBIC, Zambales—Three people, including an 8-year-old boy, were reported missing after they were swept away by a strong current in the waters off Candelaria town on Monday afternoon, an Army official said on Tuesday.

Lt. Col. Monib Mamao, head of the Army’s 24th Infantry Battalion, said rescue teams are scouring the waters of Candelaria to look for Joel Corpuz, 41; Ernesto Estella, 56; and Jayson Torno, 8, all residents of Barangay (village) Malabon.

Mamao said Torno went swimming with three other children in the waters of Barangay Malabon when they were swept out to sea by a strong current at 3:30 p.m. Monday.

He said that Corpuz came to rescue the children but was able to pull only three of them to safety.

Corpuz returned to the water to save Torno but he went missing minutes later, Mamao said.

He said Estella, a fishermen, jumped into the water to save Corpuz but failed to turn up since then.