Death toll from tragic field trip in Bulacan rises to six

The death toll from a flash flood at a Bulacan river rose to six, with the recovery of at least two more bodies on Wednesday.

 

At least one more student of the Bulacan State University—a former member of noontime show Eat Bulaga's EB Babes—remained missing as of Wednesday evening, GMA News' Ian Cruz reported on "24 Oras."

 

Rescue teams on Wednesday recovered the remains of Madel Navarro and Janet Rivera. Earlier reported dead were Helena Marcelo, Michelle Ann Rose Bonzo, Sean Alejo, and Mickel Alcantara.

 

Still missing is former EB Babe member Maiko Bartolome.

 

The students were taking part in a field trip of BSU at the area of Madlum Cave and Madlum River in San Miguel town in Bulacan.

 

Initial investigation showed five of the students were having their photos taken in the area when the water rose.

 

Local authorities are closing down the area to prevent a repeat of the tragedy.

 

Provincial authorities are also considering setting up a local tourism board to set guidelines for visitors in the area.

 

Bulacan Vice Governor Daniel Fernando said search-and-rescue operations were suspended at 5 p.m. due as frogmen involved in the search ran out out of oxygen in their tanks.

 

The search will continue early Thursday.

 

Meanwhile, the report said relatives of the victims are considering filing legal action against BSU.

 

For its part, the Commission on Higher Education will set up a task force to probe the incident.

 

Relatives of the victims could not accept the fate of the fatalities, GMA News' Kara David reported.

 

Alcantara's mother and Banzo's grandmother were inconsolable when they saw the remains of their loved ones.

 

Banzo's grandmother said she did not want her granddaughter to go on the field trip.

 

Marcelo's mother Donna also did not want her to go but she trusted the school. Marcelo was a campus beauty queen.

 

"Dapat sana pag nagpa-tour sila make sure at least 90 percent safe. Hindi basta, dahil iningat-ingatan mo yan, nagpakapagod para sa trabaho, para maano ang bata, tapos biglang mawawala na lang nang ganun-ganun," she said.

 

Meanwhile, the BSU management showed waivers signed by the students and their parents, exempting the BSU from any accountability if something happened to the students.

 

But the BSU said the waiver is nullified if negligence on the part of the organizers was established.

 

At the BSU, students showed their sympathy for the victims.

 

A day of mourning was declared, even as the BSU management suspended field trips for now. —Joel Locsin/NB, GMA News