SURIGAO CITY—Beachgoers enjoying the sand and sea in Lianga town in Surigao del Sur witnessed a harrowing incident after five people died of drowning in the afternoon of January 3.
Authorities identified the victims as Joseph Cajutol, 34, Ronald Getigan Baghucan, 19, Fernando Besing, 24, Alvin Almosera, 19 and Roland Lagata.
The victims are residents of Barangay Santiago, San Luis town in Agusan del Sur, who visited the locally famous beach in Sitio Pugad, Barangay Payasan, Lianga, for the holidays.
Police Officer 2 Greg Sinday, investigating officer at Lianga Municipal Police Office, identified a lone survivor as Dalman Handogon.
Sinday said the group was swimming in the area when one of them got into the deeper part of the water and struggled to get back to the shallow part.
“They tried to rescue him but all of them got drowned together, as they don’t know how to swim,” Sinday said.
Sinday said the water current was already strong as it was high tide. He added that all of the victims were under the influence of alcohol. (Roel Catoto/PNA)
