BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — A member of the US Marine Corps drowned while swimming at a beach in Bangui town, Ilocos Norte on Friday.
S/Sgt. Dominic Tangliben, Bangui town police investigator, said Marine Cpl. Edmond Zhu went swimming with fellow Cpl. Isaac Torres at Barangay Baruyen despite the warnings of local residents that the area is not fit for swimming because of strong currents.
Witnesses said Torres later asked for help after Zhu was sucked by a strong undercurrent.
Although responders were able to rescue Zhu, efforts to revive him proved futile. Zhu was declared dead at the nearest hospital at 2:15 p.m., Tangliben said.
On Thursday, three US Marine and four Philippine Marine Corps officers went to Bangui to install a radar for maritime surveillance.
Zhu was temporarily based in Laoag City for a joint military training with the Philippine Marine Corps.