Two die, two missing after drowning in Antique falls

A 21-YEAR-OLD lass and a teenage boy died afternoon of May 19, 2019 after they drowned while swimming in a waterfall in San Remigio, Antique.

Police identified the fatalities as Wilyn Grace Dalmacio, 21, of Barangay Odiong, Sibalom, Antique, and Reyven Villar, 16, of Barangay Cabiawan, San Remigio.

The incident left two other persons missing. 

Search and rescue operations are underway to locate Mary Adela Jayme, 27, of Sibalom town and Juvy Balensosa, 9, of Cabiawan village, San Remegio.

Ten-year-old Renalyn Villar, also of Cabiawan village, survived the incident.

According to police reports, the victims went for a swim at Bato Taraw Falls in Barangay Trinidad, when a flash flood swept them away.

The victims tried to hold on but the water current was too strong.

Rescuers first found Dalmacio and rushed her to the hospital but she did not survive.

Villar’s body was found minutes later.

The San Remigio Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office immediately asked officials of the villages Cabiawan, Trinidad, Magdalena, Bilvar, Nasuli, Barangbang, and Cadolonan to look for the two missing persons.

Meanwhile, Mayor Glenn Cabigunda said he would order the temporary closure of Bato Taraw Falls.

Village officials of Trinidad and Cabiawan were told to discourage swimmers from going to the area.