A 64-year-old businesswoman and two minors — a 15-year-old girl and a five-year-old boy — drowned in the waters off Purok 13, Sitio Capaclan, Barangay Inayawan, Cauayan, Negros Occidental, on Saturday, Oct. 11.
The elderly woman had attempted to rescue the children after they were swept away by a strong current.
All three victims were residents of Barangay Inayawan.
Police Lt. Col. Joem Malong, Police Regional Office–Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) spokesperson, said the boy was a relative of the businesswoman while the teenage girl was the daughter of a family friend.
According to Police Lt. Col. Norberto Barniso, Cauayan police chief, the two minors were swimming at sea when they were caught by a strong current.
The businesswoman rushed to help but was also carried away.
Barniso said the victims likely struggled to stay afloat before drowning.
Police, along with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), recovered the victims who were declared dead in a hospital. (Glazyl Masculino)
