A 12-year-old boy who went missing while crossing a river was found dead along the shoreline of San Miguel Beach early Thursday morning. According to reports from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), the victim, identified as Genesis De Leon, a resident of Barangay Antipolo, allegedly drowned around 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday while attempting to cross the Pamatawan River with two friends, aged 10 and 11.
Search and rescue operations were immediately launched, involving residents, the PCG Sub-station in San Antonio, the PNP Maritime Group, Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, and the Bureau of Fire Protection.
De Leon’s body was recovered around 4:30 a.m. Thursday, just a few meters from where he was last seen.
Authorities remind the public, especially children, to avoid crossing rivers during unpredictable weather and currents, as safety remains a top priority./coa