LAOAG CITY, Philippines — Two persons died while three others survived in a drowning incident on a beach in Barangay Naglicuan, Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte on Thursday.
Authorities identified the fatalities as Willie Calpo, 47, a resident of Barangay Carusipan in Pasuquin, and his niece Irish dela Cruz, 19, a resident of Malasiqui town in Pangasinan.
Initial police investigation showed that the group was having a picnic when Grace dela Cruz and Amaya Bulosan went swimming but were swept away by big waves.
Willie and Irish rushed to their rescue, but they too were pulled by the waves.
Residents who saw the incident rushed to help but failed to find Willie and Irish. Their bodies were later found along the shore.