BACOLOD CITY -- The body of a 14-year-old boy was found on Tuesday night, September 17, three days after he drowned in Campomanes Bay, Barangay Maricalum, Sipalay City, Negros Occidental on Saturday, September 14.
Ensign James Carbajosa, acting commander of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)-southern Negros Occidental, said the the body of the victim was already bloated when found at around 7 p.m.
Carbajosa said that a resident who was fishing in the area noticed the body which prompted him to seek assistance from personnel of a nearby tugboat.
The victim and his three cousins aged 13 to 18 were swimming in the sea amid bad weather when they were battered by big waves and strong winds.
The victim was separated from his companions and was dragged to a deep part of the sea where he drowned. His cousins were rescued.
Evacuation
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) reported that 29,838 families or 100,335 individuals were affected in 174 barangays in 23 municipalities by the "habagat" or southwest monsoon as of 5 p.m. Tuesday, September 17.
RESIDENTS are rescued from a flood in Barangay Aranda, Hinigaran, Negros Occidental. (Photo courtesy of Barangay Aranda)
The agency said 3,466 families or 11,728 persons were inside evacuation centers while 609 families or 1,963 persons were staying outside.
Nineteen areas were flooded, eight landslide incidents occurred, and two fallen trees were reported. Six roads and three bridges were impassable.
A total of 130 houses were damaged, nine totally damaged and 121 partially damaged.