Taguig fluvial parade leaves 1 dead

MANILA, Philippines — The fluvial parade for the Taguig River Festival turned into a tragedy when two boats collided on Tuesday, leaving one person dead.

Divers from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) retrieved yesterday the body of Jester Romero, 30, who went missing after the incident in Barangay Tuktukan.

The PCG said Romero’s body was identified by his brother.

According to the city government, the passengers of the boats were rescued and given first aid treatment following the collision. They were taken to the hospital and are reportedly recovering.

Members of the PCG Special Operations Unit at Malacañang conducted an underwater search for Romero.

His body was found under the Bambang Bridge at past 6 a.m. yesterday.

The local government and the Sta. Ana Church, which hosted the event, said both boats were not participants in the fluvial parade.

Authorities said the official participants were made to wear life vests, given safety briefings and were tailed by rescue boats.

The PCG said members of the city’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, local police as well as the Lake and River Management Office of Taguig helped in the retrieval operations.