By Myris Lee
Five children were declared missing after they reportedly drowned while swimming in Balete, Batangas, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported Tuesday, May 3.
In an incident report, PCG said five children, aged seven, nine, 10, and 12, went missing after swimming around Taal Lake in Brgy. Looc, Balete, Batangas.
The PCG Search and Rescue team together with the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office and local officials launched a surface search at the adjacent area for possible sightings of the five children.
The PCG also deployed two divers from PCG Special Operations Southern Tagalog group to conduct an underwater search. – gb