Shipping firm owner drowns in Batangas

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines – An owner of a shipping company reportedly drowned in Bauan, Batangas last Tuesday, authorities reported yesterday.

Eduardo Jornales, owner and president of Translift Ship Management Inc., was swimming six meters away from M/T Petro Helen, when waves reportedly swept him away at around 7:42 a.m.

Jornales, who was an engineer of the oil tanker, was declared dead on arrival at the Saint Patrick’s Hospital in Batangas City, where he was rushed by three crewmembers of the tanker.

Case investigator Senior Police Officer 1 Regilio Coronel said the incident was reported last Saturday to the Bauan police station by Renato Sto. Domingo, a representative of the shipping firm.

Coronel said probers have yet to receive the result of an autopsy on Jornales.

3 drowning victims found

Meanwhile in Iloilo, members of a search and rescue team have found the bodies of two teenage boys who drowned in a creek as Typhoon Ompong battered the province Friday.

John Paul Obaderes, 15, was found by members of Mountain Tigers rescue team at around 9:45 a.m. Saturday at the Calajunan Creek in Mandurriao district, Iloilo City.

Obaderes’ body was recovered some 300 meters away from where he and his friend, Anthony Jardeleza, drowned.

Jardeleza was found at around 8 a.m. yesterday in a portion of the creek located in Arevalo district, said Mandurriao police chief Inspector Leah Rose Peña.

The boys, along with their friend Christian Alegre, 15, were swimming at the creek amid heavy downpour when they were swept away by the current.

Alegre survived after he managed to hold onto a plant.

Meanwhile, another drowning victim identified as Michael Abelito was found Saturday in Sta. Barbara town, also in Iloilo.

Abelito was reported missing after he went for a swim Friday. – With Jennifer Rendon