4 youngsters drown while swimming with friends in Mindoro beach

CITY OF CALAPAN – Four youngsters out of nine friends and cousins who went to the beach in Pinamalayan town in Oriental Mindoro drowned Saturday afternoon, police report said Sunday.

The youngsters went to a beach resort in Barangay Zone 1 for a swim, but siblings Madelyn, 18, and Lougi delos Santos, 13; Jake Maranan, 17, all residents of Barangay Marfrancisco; and Anna Janina Lanot, 11, a resident of Barangay Sta. Rita, reportedly died about 5 p.m.

Police said that victims, together with Jean Marie Delos Santos, 15; Maria Daniela Maranan, 15; and Andal cousins Charles Howard, 15; Carl Nathaniel, 9; and Maria Janela went swimming at Paraiso beach at 4 p.m.

The victims were playing with the big waves but they were swept away by the current to the deep portion of the beach and started drowning.

Pinamalayan police chief Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Ramos said Maria Janela was rescued first by Madelyn and by nearby residents whose help were sought by the group.

“Madelyn was able to bring Maria Janela to the shallow portion of the beach and tried to save her other companions but she also drowned,” said Ramos.

Responding members of Bantay Dagat were able to recover Madelyn, Lougi, and Anna Janina, who were unconscious.

They were all taken to Delos Reyes Hospital for treatment but Madelyn, Lougi, and Anna Janina died on the way there.

At 6:41 p.m., Jake was recovered but also died while being taken to Delos Reyes Hospital.

Ramos said that they, along with village officials and the local government, have been reminding people that it is prohibited to swim in said public resort due to the strong waves there.