Teen feared drowned after saving brother’s life

Rescue teams from the Pasig City police and local government units searched the Pasig River yesterday for the body of a 13-year-old boy who was swept away by strong currents at the Manggahan Floodway after rescuing his younger brother Wednesday.

Eastern Police District (EPD) director Senior Superintendent Nilo de la Cruz said they have yet to recover the body of Ryan Nayre, a resident of Barangay Rosario.

Nayre jumped into the floodway after seeing his younger brother, Ronquillo, being carried downstream by the current.

After putting Ronquillo safely on the riverbank, Nayre was himself swept away by the rising floodwaters at about 4 p.m., witnesses said.

Because of heavy rains Wednesday, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) opened the floodgates at Barangay Manggahan to prevent the floodway from overflowing, police said.

Jeffrey Miguel, who heads the Pasig City rescue team, said he and his colleagues searched for Nayre’s body in the Pasig River and Laguna de Bay.

Nayre’s parents said another child drowned in the floodway in September 2005.

De la Cruz said they cannot declare Nayre dead as long as his body has not been recovered.       – Non Alquitran