SAN MARCELINO, Zambales — The bodies of two children reported missing after the drowning incident at Mapanuepe Lake on August 27 were recovered Saturday morning as authorities intensified their search, rescue and retrieval (SRR) operations.

A report from the office of Col. Benjamin Ariola, provincial director of the Zambales Police Provincial Office, said the first body was recovered at around 10:10 a.m. after it was spotted floating on the lake by local resident Marcelo Balario and five neighbors from Barangay Buhawen.

Balario's group, which was traveling by motorized banca from Sitio Lumibao to Buhawen, immediately retrieved the body and brought it to Buhawen Proper.

The victim was later identified by her father, Deolito Pabalan, as Chandrea Dela Cruz Pabalan, one of those reported missing in the August 27 incident.

Less than an hour later, at around 11:05 a.m., rescuers recovered another lifeless body of a child from the lake.

The victim was identified by his father, Palito Liwanag, as Angelito Liwanag.

The recoveries were made during the continuing SRR operation led by responding personnel from the San Marcelino Municipal Police Station and San Marcelino MDRRMO, with assistance from local residents and other responders.

Search and retrieval efforts remain underway as authorities continue to locate and account for the remaining individual reported missing following the incident.

Authorities are also coordinating with the victims' families as the recovery operation continues.