A 15-year-old student of the City of Balanga National Hign School drowned in a river in Brgy. Pto. Rivas Itaas, Balanga City, Bataan on Saturday afternoon..
The victim was identified as Jhon Mart B. Marasigan, of Sitio Bani, Brgy. Cataning, Balanga City.
According to the victim’s parents, Mercy Marasigan and Domingo Marasigan, Jhon Mart was actively participating in the school’s intramurals and had plans to join an ML competition. The victim stayed overnight at a relative’s house in Brgy. Pto. Rivas Itaas. Along with three classmates, they went to the river for a swim.
While joking around, Jhon Mart apparently ventured into the deeper part of the river and his classmates initially thought it was a joke when he claimed to be drowning. Unfortunately, Jhon Mart went under and did not resurface.
The incident which occurred between 2pm to 3pm.was immediately reported to authorities, prompting Barangay Captain Jimmy Gonzales, council members, and residents to respond swiftly.
The City Marshall was informed and rescue efforts were made by the Fire and Rescue team, Marshall, Balanga police, PCG, and the barangays of Tortugas and Pilar..
On Sunday morning, the victim’s body was discovered at around 6:35am in the same river where the incident occurred. His parents and siblings are overwhelmed with grief over the loss of their beloved son and brother.