An 11-year-old boy drowned off the coast of San Teodoro in Oriental Mindoro, authorities reported on Sunday.

The boy, a resident of San Isidro, Puerto Galera, was reported missing at around 4:00 p.m. on August 31, prompting a search and rescue operation by government authorities.

A team composed of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), Bantay Dagat of Tacligan, Bantay Dagat of Poblacion, Blue Alliance Philippines, and community volunteers scoured the area for 20 hours before the boy’s body was found floating near Isla Verde yesterday, September 1, 2024, at 12:47 p.m.

Fisherman Darrel Ascan discovered the body, which was then retrieved by a rapid response team and transported to the shore for identification by the victim’s family.

MDRRMO extended its deepest sympathies to the bereaved family and thanked all those who responded to the incident.