Two 13-year-old boys drowned while swimming in the Pampanga River in Arayat, Pampanga amid warnings from local officials.

The body of one of the boys was found near the cut-off channel of the river in Barangay Batasan while the remains of the other was recovered the following morning, around 500 meters from where they were seen last.

Jeff Venzon, the local disaster risk reduction management officer, said the boys were warned by barangay officials not to swim due to the strong currents.

"Actually, nakita pa sila ng mga barangay officials po natin, binawalan pa po sila. Pero ayon, nag-swimming ‘yung dalawang bata," he said.

"As per sa mga magulang, marunong po sila lumangoy kasi taga doon talaga sila — pero ‘yun nga talagang ma-current siguro ‘yung tubig sa Pampanga River," he added.

Authorities urged parents to monitor their children closely, especially during the rainy season, and to keep them away from rivers, streams, and other bodies of water to avoid similar incidents.