2 girls drown in pond in Batac City

Two girls, 14 and eight years old, drowned in a pond while gathering snails in Barangay Colo, Batac City, Ilocos Norte.

Based on initial investigation, the two girls ventured into the deeper part of the pond.

"Talagang pumunta sila don para manguha ng mga kuhol. Nadulas yung dalawang bata hindi naman marunong lumangoy," LTCOL Adrian Gayuchan, Chief of Police of Batac City Philippine National Police (PNP), said.

They attempted to call for help from the mother of one of the victims and some companions who were also gathering snails, but the pond is located far from houses.

The girls were spotted too late by construction workers who rushed to help them.

"Pumunta kami lahat sa may tubig para tulongan yung mga bata. Nasa loob na sila ng tubig noon, madaming putik na ang kanilang buhok... malalim mga lampas tao," Ardeng Mariano, one of the rescuers, said.

Reynante Garcia, the father of the eight-year-old, was in the fields at the time of the incident. He said they used to gather snails in that area so he thought nothing would go wrong.

"Tinawag aka sa bukid, 'paya na yang ana mo,' sabi nila," Garcia said.

According to the barangay chairman, the area is now prohibited to anyone who wants to gather snails.

The area used to be a water impounding facility. — GMA Regional TV