FIVE children were reported missing after swimming in Taal Lake in Balete, Batangas yesterday, the Philippine Coast Guard said.
The PCG has launched search and rescue operations for the children, in coordination with the Balete municipal disaster risk reduction office (MDRRMO) and other local officials.
The missing children were identified as Jaime Rose Ann Jacutan, 12; Sherin Ashtrid Dela Rosa, 8; Kiel Zackary Pasaron, 10; Kurtney Prian Presas, 8; and Rodney Mark Delarosa, 7.
Citing initial information from the Balete MDRRMO, PCG communications officer Joy Gumatay said the children “went missing while swimming” off Barangay Looc in Balete.
Gumatay said the PCG received information about the alleged drowning incident at around 12:10 p.m. yesterday, leading to the conduct of the search and rescue operation.
She could not immediately say if the children, who are residents of Barangay Sto. Toribio in Lipa City, Batangas, were accompanied by an adult or adults when they went swimming.
As of yesterday afternoon, Gumatay said the PCG search and rescue team and local government personnel were jointly conducting “surface search at the adjacent area for possible sightings of the five children.”
Gumatay said two divers from the PCG Special Operations Group-Southern Luzon have been also dispatched “to conduct underwater search.”
