The corpse of the victim Roberto Lumbes, a resident of Barangay 649, Block 16, Baseco Compound, Port Area, was recovered by Coast Guardsmen between floating barges at around 7 a.m. yesterday.
Police said Coast Guard personnel are still trying to retrieve the body of another victim, who was identified only as a certain Ralph, 16 years old, also a resident of Baseco compound.
Twelve-year-old witness Ronelo Cabenian told The STAR that Ralph and his girlfriend Analyn were walking by the bay on their way home when they were washed away by a big waves. Cabenian added that the victim and his friends, who were having a good time swimming in the bay, saw the incident. Lumbes tried to save Ralph and Analyn.
"Nasagip na po n’ya si Analyn, pero binalikan pa n’ya si Ralph, hindi na rin siya lumutang uli," (Lumbes was able to save Analyn, but when he returned to save Ralph, he did not surface again), said Lumbes.– Cecille Suerte Felipe