A FLUVIAL parade during Taguig River Festival turned to tragedy after a man died after an accident involving two boats collided Tuesday.
The victim was identified as Jester Romero, 30, a passenger on one of the boats.
Romero was first reported missing, according to reports by Mai Bermudez on Unang Balita and Dobol B TV.
His body was found past 6 a.m. on Wednesday six feet underwater near a bridge.
Romero’s relatives were at the site on Wednesday morning and were emotional over the incident.
Personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the local government’s Bantay Lawa have been searching for the victim for 12 hours when his body was found.
The accident occurred at 5:46 p.m., the Taguig local government unit (LGU) said.
Both boats were on their way home when they collided, it added.
One boat capsized first. Some passengers of this boat jumped into the boat carrying Romero and his friends. This caused the second boat to capsize as well.
The LGU said passengers of the two boats were immediately rescued and brought to hospitals for treatment.
“Lahat ng nailigtas ay nasa maayos na kalagayan,” the LGU said.
However, Romero was reported missing.
The LGU expressed sadness over the tragedy.
The two boats that were involved in the accident were not officially part of the fluvial parade, it said.
“Ang mga gamit na bangka ay pribadong inarkila ng mga sakay nito at hindi kasama sa manifesto ng mga bangkang isinumite sa Pamahalaang Lungsod at Simbahan ng Sta. Ana,” the LGU said.
Those who were officially part of the fluvial parade wore life vests, were given safety briefing, and were escorted by rescue boats, it added.
The LGU said the City Rescue, PCG, the Bureau of Fire Protection, and the Lake and River Management Office worked together to respond to the accident.
The Taguig River Festival is an annual event which is part of the Sta. Ana fiesta.
The LGU said it has made adequate preparations to ensure the safety of all those participating in the fluvial parade as well as residents who will watch the parade by the riverside and on bridges.
