A FESTIVE family reunion held at a beach resort in Misamis Oriental suddenly turned sour when two siblings drowned Monday afternoon.
SPO1 Mark Valles identified the fatalities as Junrie Junayon, 34; and his brother Ranlie, 35, of Barangay Talaba in Alubijid town.
Two of their companions Jimboy Balansag, 34; and Mandelie Batalla, 23, nearly drowned.
Valles said the victims were with their relatives who were having a reunion at Baybay Beach when the incident happened.
“Buntag pa sila nangabot sa maong beach. Then pagkahapon sa alas 4 nangaligo na dayon tong upat. Taudtaud nagubot sila kay naa daw lage nalumos,” Valles said.
The victims, prior to the incident, had been warned by their elders not to go swimming since the waves were already big and the undertow could be dangerous.
But Junrie and Ranlie, who were already drunk, together with Balansag and Batalla, went to the sea for a swim.
Valles quoted one of the survivors as saying that there was a portion in the area where they were swimming where the undertow was very strong.
Balansag said he was trying to save the victims but the strong current and the big waves made it difficult for him to do so.
The two bodies were later recovered near the area. (Joey Nacalaban)
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