9 drown in Luzon

MANILA, Philippines — Nine persons drowned in separate incidents in Batangas and La Union in the past two days, authorities reported yesterday.

Among the fatalities were Mark John Espulgar, Grachel Sulit, Fritzy Jane Tubal and Gian Carlo Tubal, who drowned in Barangay Sambal Ilaya, Lemery on Saturday afternoon.

The victims were declared dead on arrival at the Batangas Hospital, where their companion – Danilo Tubal – was also taken for treatment.

Authorities were still looking for  Mark John Sulit and Frincess Erich Sulit, who were reported missing as of yesterday.

Another drowning victim, Juanito Tiples, 61, was reportedly drunk when he went out to swim at past noon in Barangay Matingain I, also located in Lemery.

Tiples was later found floating in a shallow part of the sea. He was declared dead on arrival at the Batangas Provincial Hospital.

Meanwhile, in La Union, Abriam Prince Miniano, 9, drowned in the  Amburayan River in Sudipen yesterday,

Investigation showed the boy was swimming with his friends when he was swept away by the current.

Miniano was declared dead on arrival in a nearby hospital. — Michelle Zoleta, Jun Elias