Two Bulacan students missing in river accident

NORZAGARAY, Bulacan – Rescuers are searching for two college students who were swept away by the Bakas river here on Saturday while shooting footage for a film documentary.

Jaycie Ronwill Balitaosan, a 19-year-old broadcast communication major of the Bulacan State University, and Jericho Burgos, a 17-year-old management student, were warned that the river had a tendency to rise, but they proceeded to the waters near the subvillage of Kanyakkan in Barangay (village) Matictic, the police said.

The students disappeared in the waters before noon, based on witness testimonies, said Supt. Rizalino Andaya, Norzagaray police chief. He said the police were alerted about the accident at 2:30 p.m.

Andaya said volunteers had to stop the search on Saturday night because of the strong current, and  resumed the search on Sunday.

Balitaosan and Burgos were making a short film they intended to submit for the Sine Bulacan Film Festival.

Andaya said the police have prepared a public safety plan for the 7-km river, which has been drawing visitors.

Part of the safety plan would require nipa hut owners catering to tourists to hire life guards. The plan also restricts swimming after 8 p.m. JE/rga