MARILAO, Bulacan – Rescue teams are conducting an extensive search operation along the Marilao River for three individuals suspected of drowning in separate incidents this week, authorities confirmed Wednesday.
The search is focused on the river section near Barangay Ibayo, Marilao, where rescuers are looking for victims from San Jose del Monte City and Caloocan City who were swept away by strong currents.
Mark Guillermo, head of the Marilao Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, said one victim from San Jose del Monte is believed to have drowned Monday afternoon while two others from Caloocan City went missing at approximately 12:11 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. on the same day.
“The search and rescue operation is currently ongoing,” Guillermo said.
Jojo Florentino, operations chief of the San Jose del Monte CDRRMO, said the search operation began Monday but has been hampered by challenging conditions.
“The search will be difficult due to the strong current,” Florentino explained. “We are conducting land searches, boat searches, and deploying scuba divers.”
He added that if the victims are not found in Marilao, search teams will expand operations to riverbeds in neighboring towns, extending as far as Obando.
According to a report from the Bulacan Police Provincial Office, one of the missing persons has been identified as a 13-year-old from San Jose del Monte City who reportedly drowned in the Happy Valley River in Barangay Gaya-Gaya after being invited by friends to swim.
Details regarding the two individuals from Caloocan City remain unavailable as of press time.
