The body of a tourist who drowned in Baler Aurora after allegedly taking selfie was found after two days of search operations, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said Saturday.
The body of Justin Paul Delos Santos, 21, of Quezon City, was retrieved on November 10 about 1.5 nautical miles away from the AMCO Beach Resort in Barangay Sabali, where he was last seen.
He was reported missing after accidentally falling off at the rocky portion of the beach resort while taking selfie together with his friend, Bea Malapitan.
PCG said that a certain Ronalyn Asalita, resident of Sitio Diguisit, Barangay Zabali, saw the floating body approximately 200 meters away from the shoreline of lighthouse, Zabali, Baler, Aurora.
Search and rescue team then immediately proceeded to the area to fish out the body. The victim’s family later positively identified the body as Delos Santos.
According to earlier reports, Delos Santos and Malapitan were dragged by big waves and strong current into the deeper portion of the water last November 8.
Malapitan told PCG authorities that she was able to swim back to the shoreline but Delos Santos didn’t and went missing. (Betheena Kae Unite)
