Rovic Valcalares, 19, from Cagayan de Oro, was among other teenaged boys from diff erent provinces, on outing at a beach resort in Agwawan in Barangay Sisiman, when he and some companions came to the rescue of three swimmers who shouted for help.
“May sumigaw ng ‘saklolo, saklolo’ mula sa naliligo sa dagat kaya ang anak ko, ang biktima at ilang kasamahan sumaklolo. Matapos nilang masagip ang tatlong nalulunod, napalayo ang biktima at hindi na nakita,” Fidelina Bathan of Agwawan said.
The old woman said the three shouting for help were not companions of the victim but from a village in Mariveles.
Rescuers found the victim’s body at 5 a.m. Monday by the mouth of the small river near the sea in Agwawan.
Fidelina’s son, Norberto Bathan, is a manager of a company in Pasig City doing shipbuilding and bridge construction where the victim and companions were undertaking on-the- job-training.
She said those undergoing OJT were about to go home but asked his son to allow them to visit Mariveles.
Ritchie Padilla and JeffreyToledo, beach resort workers, said the waves were more turbulent Sunday than this Monday.
“Matapos masagip ang tatlong nalulunod, umahon na ang magkakasama pero tinangay ng alon ang biktima at hindi na nakita ng maraming naghahanap,” Toledo said.
Sisiman barangay chairman Maximo Barcenas said he was asking why visitors were permitted to swim at the turbulent sea. He said the Philippine Coast Guard assisted in the rescue operations.
“Sa beach owners, kapag masungit ang panahon, sana mas maging aware na importante ang buhay kesa kita. Sa mga bisita, sana tingnan mabuti kung advisable na maligo sa dagat at kung hindi, magpa-ibang araw na,” Mariveles Mayor Ace Jello Concepcion said.
