By CYRUS M. GARDE
BACOLOD City — Three people drowned while swimming at Sualig Beach in Barangay Linaon, Cauayan town.
The body of Ernie Hermoso, 42, was fished out of the water at about 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 13, said Superintendent Herman Garbosa, Cauayan police chief.
Hermoso’s son, 15-year-old Malien, and nephew, 14-year-old Jujen De la Peña Timbang, remained missing as of press time.
The three were celebrating Malien’s birthday.
The children went swimming at about 11:30 a.m. despite strong waves caused by strong winds brought by typhoon “Luis.”
Hermoso later saw them struggling and heard them shouting for help. He tried to rescue them but ended up getting drowned as well.
According to Garbosa, the victims’ cottage was about 100 meters away from the beach.
Bantay Dagat’s rescue operatives were still searching for the boys’ bodies.
On Sept. 9, two people who went fishing also drowned in the nearby Sipalay City.
Strong waves swept the boat of Alejo Delgado and his nephew, Roberto Tajonera Jr.
Delgado tried to rescue Tajonera, who did not know how to swim, but drowned, too./PN
