GENERAL SANTOS CITY, South Cotabato — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) recovered the body of one of the two beachgoers reported missing at Watergran Beach Resort in Barangay Bawing, General Santos City, on Wednesday morning, June 10, bringing heartbreak to a family that had been anxiously awaiting news of their loved one.
The recovery operation was conducted by the Coast Guard District Southern Mindanao (CGDSM) through its Special Operations Group-Southern Mindanao (SOG-SM) and Coast Guard Sub-Station (CGSS) Bawing.
According to a report from the Coast Guard, local fishermen alerted authorities at around 8:35 a.m. after spotting a floating body near the General Santos Fishport in Barangay Tambler.
Responding swiftly to the report, Coast Guard personnel deployed aboard Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB) 101-435 and Rubber Boat No. 023 to verify the sighting and conduct retrieval operations.
Just five minutes later, at approximately 8:40 a.m., the search team located and recovered the body about five nautical miles from the shoreline of Barangay Tambler.
The remains were transported back to shore and arrived at around 9:13 a.m. Family members later positively identified the victim as their eight-year-old male relative who had been reported missing following the incident at Watergran Beach Resort.
After the completion of proper identification procedures, the Coast Guard respectfully turned over the child’s remains to his family for burial and other necessary arrangements.
The tragic discovery marks a somber development in the ongoing search and rescue efforts that have been underway since the two beachgoers went missing. Authorities have not yet released further details regarding the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard assured the public that search and rescue operations remain active as responders continue to look for the second missing beachgoer.
The Coast Guard has appealed for public cooperation and urged fishermen and residents in coastal communities to immediately report any sightings or information that could aid rescuers in locating the remaining missing individual.
As the search continues, the tragedy serves as a painful reminder of the dangers posed by coastal waters and the importance of vigilance and safety measures, especially for children and families visiting beach resorts.