PCG: A 20-year old man was recovered by the Coast Guard Sub-Station (CGSS) Anibong 30 feet below a river in Palo, Leyte last Friday, January 30. 

The victim, Christian Hilaga, reportedly took a swim in a river beside the junk shop where he was working, when he was swept away by strong current towards the deeper portion of the river.

Hilaga's co-workers in WNB Junkshop attempted to rescue him but failed due to strong water current. 

The incident was immediately reported to Barangay Libertad, who then relayed the message to Naval Intelligence Security Group (NISG) Region XIII for assistance. 

The Commander of Coast Guard Station (CGS) Tacloban quickly directed the Special Operations Unit-Eastern Visayas and Field Station personnel of CGSS Anibong to rescue the victim. 

Said sub-station conducted search and rescue (SAR) operation and exerted all means to locate the victim. However, after more than an hour of scouring the area, the team decided to temporarily suspend the SAR operation due to darkness.

The lifeless victim was recovered/ retrieved by the joint SAR Team at an estimated depth of 30 ft and 30 meters away from the drowning site on January 30 around 5:50AM. The relatives brought the cadaver to a funeral parlor for autopsy and proper disposition.