Rizal teen drowns while saving 6 pals

MANILA, Philippines - A teenager drowned while saving six friends after their banca capsized at the Laguna de Bay in Binangonan, Rizal last Wednesday, authorities said.

Rescuers fished out the body of Welfredo Bernardo, 16, at the Laguna de Bay in Sitio Lawa, Barangay Mabuhay, Binangonan town Wednesday night.

Bernardo was considered a hero by his neighbors in Sitio San Antonio, Barangay Tayuman, especially by the families of his six friends.

Senior Superintendent Rolando Anduyan, Rizal police director, said Bernardo and his three male companions treated their three female friends to a boat ride along the Laguna de Bay at around 4 p.m. Wednesday.

Because of the big waves, the fiberglass banca capsized and Bernardo came to the rescue of his six friends who did not know how to swim, reports reaching Anduyan said.

After bringing his friends to safety, Bernardo suffered leg cramps and drowned.