Two Men Drown in Bulacan Amid State of Calamity
In Bulacan, two men believed to be intoxicated tragically drowned in separate incidents as the province faces widespread flooding and remains under a state of calamity. The ongoing floods are caused by the combined impact of cyclones Crising, Dante, and Emong, worsened by the southwest monsoon and high tide.
Manuel Lukban Jr., head of the Bulacan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, identified one victim as 22-year-old Kenneth Rendon from Barangay Calero in Malolos City. Rendon went missing around 4 p.m. Sunday while fishing with two companions in a local river.
Search Operation Recovers Missing Fisherman
According to reports, Rendon stepped off their boat to urinate and tried to swim back to the vessel. He managed to swim about four meters before suddenly submerging and not resurfacing. His companions immediately alerted local disaster authorities, who launched a search operation with assistance from the provincial office.
After several hours, rescuers recovered Rendon’s body at approximately 9 a.m. the following day. The tragic incident underscores the dangers in flood-affected areas, especially when compounded by alcohol consumption.
Second Drowning in Flooded Home
In a separate incident, 67-year-old Vicente Melo was found dead inside his flooded home in Purok 5, Barangay Frances, Calumpit town. Melo was discovered floating near a staircase around 8 a.m. Monday, hours after being reported missing at 3 a.m.
A relative mentioned that Melo had consumed alcohol before the incident. Authorities suspect he may have slipped from the stairs and drowned in the rising floodwaters.
State of Calamity Declared as Flooding Persists
Several towns and cities in Bulacan remain flooded due to continuous rains, typhoons, and high tides. This situation has forced local officials to declare a state of calamity in multiple areas to better manage the ongoing crisis.
Similar measures were taken last week in parts of Bulacan and neighboring Pangasinan after heavy flooding resulted from Typhoon Crising and dam water releases. Local leaders continue to monitor the situation closely and urge residents to stay vigilant.
For more news and updates on Bulacan flooding, visit Filipinokami.com.
