Manila: Three persons died and two others went missing on Wednesday after they were swept by a strong river current in Lobo, Batangas, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said.
Vicente Tomazar, OCD director for Calabarzon, said the victims were on board an owner type jeep crossing along barangay Nagtaluntong when they were swept by the current at about 6:30pm.
The current has been attributed to the rains in the nearby town of Rosario.
“It did not rain in the municipality, but nearby municipality of Rosario, Batangas reported that it rained. The river in Lobo, Batangas is connected to the river of Rosario, Batangas,” OCD director Tomazar said in a report.
Of the six passengers, three died of drowning, two went missing and one survived after being rescued by local residents.
The fatalities whose bodies were recovered yesterday morning, were identified as head teacher Emeliana Lontoc, Menchie Degayeta and Nelia Gweco.
The recovered bodies of the victims were brought to the municipal hall to be turned over to their relatives.
The lone survivor, on the other hand, was identified as Jeurtrudes Indencio.
Search and rescue teams from the military, police, local governments and Coast Guard are still searching for the missing passengers namely Jona Driz and Efren Lontoc.
Disaster management and social welfare personnel have provided assistance to the bereaved families of the victims.
The Philippine star
