PCG: The Philippine Coast Guard in Northern Luzon has recorded a total number of four maritime incidents during Good Friday and Black Saturday where a local diver was reported dead while three other swimmers remain missing.

The first victim was identified as Aquilino M. Amistoso, 54 years old and a resident of Taguig City.

Amistoso reportedly lost consciousness and drowned last Friday when another person jumped on the same hole he was diving at in Marcos Island, a part of the Hundred Islands in Alaminos City. The heavy impact of the diver’s fall broke Amistoso's neck.

The victim was immediately rescued by the personnel of Coast Guard Sub-Station Lucap and was rushed to the Western Pangasinan District Hospital where he was declared dead on arrival. 

The following day, two teenage boys were pulled by a swirling rip current in Aparri.

The victims were identified as Ralph Lesever M. Domingo and Joseph A. Mabbagu Jr, both 17 years old and residents of Barangay Maura, Aparri, Cagayan. 

The personnel of Coast Guard Station (CGS) Aparri heard Leo Acebo screaming for help along the shoreline, informing that his two companions were swept into the sea.

Immediately, CGS Aparri along with the Special Operations Unit-Northeastern Luzon, PNP maritime police and concerned citizens scoured the area for the missing teenagers but yielded negative result. The next day, Aprill 05, the team retrieved the body of Joseph A Mabbagu Jr and was brought to Pineda Funeral Parlor for proper disposition. As of press time, the team continues to search for the body of Domingo.

On the same day at around 12:30 pm, two swimmers also drowned in Matawe, Dingalan, Aurora where one was successfully rescued by the Coast Guard while the other remains missing. 

According to Mercedita Escubido, chairwoman of Brgy. Matawe, the victims were dragged by a strong current two nautical miles away from the shore. She noted that both swimmers were wearing a life ring and one of them was under the influence of alcohol.  

The personnel of CGSS Dingalan, Bureau of Fire Protection and MDRRMO-Dingalan continues searching for Franco Meradona, 22. 

Said team found Jefferson Abillano and was brought to the nearest hospital for medical treatment. 

The Search and Rescue Operations was temporarily suspended due to heavy weather condition. 

The Coast Guard advised the fisher folks and residents of the area to be on look-out and render necessary assistance if the victim is sighted.