Two students taken by Asin River in Tuba Benguet; 1 survived

Benguet, Philippines - Two students of Joaquin Smith National High School in Baguio City drowned during the public holiday on August 21 at the Asin River along Barangay Nangalisan, Tuba, Benguet.

The two, identified as John Kevin Tagle, 13, a Grade 8 student, and Jacob Tuazon, 12, Grade 7, both residents of San Luis, Baguio City, went swimming at the river with nine other companions, said Tuba Municipal Police Station.

According to their companions, the two strayed into the deeper part of the river, where they later had difficulty swimming and drowned.

Tuazon was first rescued to safety by local responders and was brought to Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center. He is now in a stable condition.

Tagle was retrieved next with the help of the police, barangay officials, and volunteers. Unfortunately, he was declared dead on arrival when rushed to the said medical facility.

Back in April, a man suffered fatal drowning on Maundy Thursday in Barangay, Tadiangan, Tuba. He was found at Sitio Hydro 4 along Nangalisan but was already dead.

In order to prevent tragedy as such, those visiting rivers and other waterbodies are warned to take precautions.