Senior Supt. Manuel Gaerlan, Bataan police director, identified the victims as Ramil Pascua, 20 and Gerald Sumaya, 20 and their missing companions as Raymil Delema, 20; Gilbert Delema, 18; and Kennet Hansen, 22; all from Sapang Palay, Bulacan.
The other victim, Justen Visda, 17, was drowned while swimming at around 10:00 a.m. near the Premira Playa Beach Resort in Poblacion, Morong.
Witnesses said they saw Visda went beyond the perimeter of the beach resort and reportedly sucked by the waves. A lifeguard recovered the victim’s body and rushed him to the Morong Rural Health Unit. It was later transferred to the James Gordon Memorial Hospital in Olongapo City but was pronounced dead on arrival.
The victims from Sapang Palay were drowned at around 7:30 a.m. while having a swimming with other local tourists. After checking-in at the RM Bay Beach Resort in Sitio Old Saysayin, Saysayin, Bagac.
Companions of the victims and some fishermen reportedly tried to rescue them but failed due to the strong current.
The bodies of Ramil Pascua and Gerald Sumaya were later recovered and brought to the Bagac Medicare Hospital but were pronounced dead on arrival by the attending physician. Their remains lie at Funeraria Martinez in Bagac.
Police and fishermen are still looking for the bodies of the three other victims.
