Beachgoer drowns in Isabela City, Basilan on New Year’s Day
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Zamboanga del Sur — A 19-year-old beachgoer drowned in Isabela City, Basilan on New Year’s Day, local authorities said.
Jamju Rivera, Isabela City’s disaster risk reduction and management officer, said Romarick Casinillo Kalbi, a computer science student, was with his classmates for a get-together in Lampinigan beach when the incident happened at around 3 p.m.
Rivera explained that Kalbi went for a swim but was not able to overcome the huge waves in his return to shore.
“He drowned after struggling with the huge waves,” Rivera said.
Rescuers from the Philippine Coast Guard fished Kalbi out of the water and revived him before he was brought to the nearest hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Rivera said Kalbi’s group did not secure a permit from the City Tourism Office, per local policy, for their beach gathering which started on Friday morning.
