By Hilda Austria/PNA
BINMALEY, Pangasinan — The Binmaley Police Station is warning tourists to be aware of the geography of beaches in the province before diving in following the first drowning incident recorded here on the weekend.
Supt. Charlie Umayam, chief of Binmaley police, said the beaches along Lingayen Gulf, including the coastal areas in this town, have an unusual feature hence, it is advisable to seek assistance from locals before dipping into the water.
“Since it is part of the gulf, it has an uneven seafloor. A person might think it is still shallow, then it becomes deeper because it has uneven seafloor,” Umayam said in an interview Tuesday.
He noted that there are Bantay Dagat Task Force members who are monitoring the area from whom the tourists could ask.
“The shed owners were also tasked to look after the tourists. Each shed owner is in-charge of monitoring the guests renting their cottage,” Umayam added.
He also encouraged reading signages on do’s and don’ts in certain beaches and follow restrictions if there are any.
The town police chief reiterated the caution following the drowning of a 12-year-old Grade 7 student from Barangay Halayhayen of Pililla, Rizal at a beach in Barangay San Isidro Norte here on February 24.
“According to the shed owners at the place, the teenager arrived at the beach together with her family. They did not rent a shed and went straight to swim at the sea,” Umayam said.
He identified the victim as Ronalyn Castillo, who was attending a family gathering or reunion in the province.
“Ronalyn and her companion Ayesha Quitaleg, 13, and resident of Baras, Rizal, swam together but were later on seen drowning. Both were rushed to a hospital but Ronalyn was declared dead on arrival,” Umayam said.
He noted the incident is the first recorded in the town this year.
