Relatives identified the victims as Alberto Guevarra III, 37, former overseas Filipino worker; Edgardo Guinto, Jr., 26, also former OFW; and student Joshua Magpoc, 19, all of Barangay Calaguiman in Samal, Bataan.
They were with seven other village mates who went on a picnic at an open beach in Purok 7 in Barangay Sabang, Morong town.
Pedelito Ibabao, fisherman from Sabang, said the first body to be recovered was that of Guevarra while those of Guinto and Magpoc were found at 4 p.m. and 11 p.m. of the same day.
The fisherman said that when he heard shouts of help, he immediately took his fishing banca with some companions to the area.
He said that he was informed that fi ve persons were drowning.
“Una naming nakita ang isa na kumakaway kaya sinagip namin agad. Ang isa pa nakita naming nakataob sa tubig at buhay pa ngunit maaaring inatake kaya namatay,” he said.
He said they were able to save another one and loaded him to the banca.
Ibabao said he has been staying in the area for already 15 years and knows the movement of the water. “Malalaki alon noon at pababa ang tubig (low tide). Malakas ang current at kapag sinalubong ang agos, dilikado.”
He advised visitors in the area to bring with them companions from the village. “Dapat may nakakaalam at kabisado ang lugar,” he said.
Edwin Bacer said there were 10 of them from Samal who went on a picnic to the beach. He said nine of them went out to the sea.
He said that six of them were carried by strong currents far away from the beach while three others were driven to safety towards the beach.
“Bigla kaming anim na sinaklot ng malalaking alon. Nasakluban kami ng tubig. Sa isip ko, wala na, katapusan na namin,” Bacer said.
He said that he tried to save his companions but was unable to for he was already weak. He said he was fortunate by going with the waves towards the beach.
Inspector Winston Norte, Morong police chief, said police, Philippine Coast Guard and villagers participated in rescue and search operations.
