SAN LUIS - A simple family get together coincided with the celebration of the "Araw ng Kagitingan' has turned into a nightmare when small boat was capsized in Pampanga River leaving one confirmed dead, four missing and two survivors.
Mayor Venancio Macapagal dislosed that six family members boarded a small boat from Barangay Sto. Tomas going to the other side of the Pampanga River along Barangay Sta. Monica section but the boat failed to reach the place destination due to overloading and strong current of water in the river.
"Maliit lang iyong bangka pero anim silang sumakay at kwento pa ay may butas pa ito kung kaya't lumulubog. Iyong tatay naman ay sumagip lamang. Siya ang una nating narecover," Macapagal stated.
The rescue teams as of press time yesterday were able to retrieve the body of Alvin Guevarra (father), 32 while his wife Rea, 33 and children Aldrea, 6, Jovilyn, 8 are still missing including another relative identified as Nigel Locerro, 9.
Meanwhile, the earlier rescued passengers were Michael Galaredo, 34, and Leynard Sieza.
Macapagal noted that as per initial information, the Gueverra family is regularly having a small celebration during the said holiday with some of the relatives from other places are coming.
"Ayon sa mga tao na nakausap natin, mayroon talaga silang salu salo tuwing ganitong panahon at ngayon nga ay parang gusto nilang mag piknik sa kabilang ibayo ng ilog," the mayor added.
Engr. Lulu Alingcastre, head of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) told Sun Star Pampanga that various rescue units had already joined effort to expedite the search and retrieval operations.
Alingcastre also requested the assistance of the rescue teams from Bulacan and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SMBA).
The rescue teams scoured the downstream sections of the river to retrieve the remaining bodies.
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