BATANGAS CITY - A 45-year-old utility worker drowned while retrieving his backpack that fell into a river Saturday in Sitio Catmon, Barangay Talumpok Silangan, this city.
Police identified the victim as Joey.
Investigation said the victim and helpers Darwin and Juanito were on their way home from work when the strap of the victim's backpack detached.
A search and rescue operation was conducted and the victim's body was found 2.5 kilometers away.
Police reminded people not to compromise their safery during bad weather.