6-year-old, 3 others drown in La Union

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union – A six-year-old girl from Baguio City and her 11-year-old brother, drowned while they were swimming along the seashore in Barangay Pagdaraoan on Sunday afternoon.

Two teenagers, aged 14 and 12, also drowned at the nearby seashores of Barangay Catbangen on the same day.

Rescuers identified the girl as Felly Rose Berto, 6, a resident of New Lucban, Baguio City, while her brother was identified as Ritch Mel Berto, 11.

The teenagers were identified as Sonny Boy Lebid, 14, and Jayson Punzalan, 12, both resident of Catbangen.

It was learned that the girl and her brother were playing along the seashore accompanied by a family member when suddenly a big wave swept them away.

Rescuers said the strong currents of water carried them to a deep portion of the sea and went missing for several hours before they were found dead. –  Jun Elias