5 teenagers drown off coast of Dumangas town in Iloilo

Rescuers carry the one of the drowning victims after almost an hour of searching. (Photo by JOEL FRANCO / Inquirer Visayas)

ILOILO CITY — Five teenaged students drowned while swimming in the waters off Barangay Bacay in Dumangas town, Iloilo past 10:30 a.m. on Saturday.

The fatalities were identified as Ken Segura of Barangay Lacturan; Roger Bautista of Barangay Victorias; Volther Jade Derutas of Barangay Lacturan; and the Lopez brothers – Stephen and Jan Karlo – from Santa Maria in Bulacan.

All were aged 16, except for Jan Karlo Lopez, who was 14.

The Lopez brothers were staying with the aunt of their mother after they were orphaned a year ago. They went to Dumangas from Bulacan so that they could continue their studies.

Derutas’ body was the last to be recovered.

A minor said they had gone swimming in Bacay beach to celebrate a birthday of a friend.

“They didn’t know how to swim,” the minor said. “They were carried by waves when high tide occurred.”

SPO3 Roger Parcon of Dumangas Municipal Police Station said there had been incidents of drowning in the area.

“The area is an abandoned private beach resort,” Parcon said. “It’s a dangerous area considering the strong waves. It’s an open area fronting Negros Island.”

Dumangas Mayor Ronaldo Golez said he was planning to prohibit swimming in the portion of the abandoned resort where the incident happened. /atm