The search continues for a 15-year-old boy from Barangay Frances, Calumpit, Bulacan, who reportedly was engulfed by the strong current of the river and had not been found for a week.
Mayor Lem Faustino of Calumpit looks on as rescue teams continue searching for Cyrez Dela Cruz, 15, who reportedly drowned in the river last Monday, Sept. 23, 2024. (Photo from the official Facebook page of Mayor Lem Faustino)
Calumpit Mayor Lem Faustino said that the retrieval operation was conducted by Calumpit Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) along with Bulacan Provincial DRRMO of Malolos, Bustos, and Pulilan.
According to the initial investigation, it showed that the boy and five of his friends were swimming in the river on September 23, and had decided to swim across to Barangay Calizon.
On their return to Frances River, the boy sprained his ankle and called for help from his friend, “Sako,” who grabbed his arm in an attempt to rescue him.
While trying to save the boy, they both began to sink, and the boy’s hand slipped from his friend’s grip.
The boy was then carried away by the river's strong current.
Sako managed to survive despite the rescue attempt.
The boys' sister took to Facebook pleading with the authorities to continue the search and retrieval operation for her brother.