Body of last missing victim in Mapanuepe Lake tragedy recovered
LAST VICTIM RETRIEVED — Authorities recover the remains of the last missing victim, a pregnant woman, from Mapanuepe Lake in San Marcelino, Zambales, on Aug. 30. (Photo Zambales PPO via Liezle Inigo)
SAN MARCELINO, Zambales — The last missing victim in the Aug. 27 drowning incident at Mapanuepe Lake in Barangay Buhawen, San Marcelino, Zambales was successfully retrieved Sunday morning, authorities said. She was reportedly pregnant.
The retrieval was completed at about 11:20 a.m. on Aug. 30 through the coordinated efforts of the Incident Management Team (IMT), according to P Col. Benjamin Ariola, provincial director of the Zambales Police Provincial Office.
The recovered victim was identified by her relative, Anna Liwanag, as Arlene Liwanag, who was reported to be pregnant. Her remains were subsequently brought to Fama Funeral Services for proper disposition.
The operation involved personnel from the San Marcelino Municipal Police Station, Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), 2nd PMFC, San Marcelino Municipal Disaster Reduction and Risk Management Office (MDRRMO), and the Philippine Army’s 69th Infantry Battalion.
Authorities said the retrieval marked the completion of the search, rescue, and retrieval operation for the remaining missing victim in the lake.
The incident earlier resulted in the recovery of two other bodies, with authorities continuing efforts to assist the victims’ families.