A New Year celebration turned sorrowful for the Mamaril family after 45-year-old Franklin, a family member and a Person with Disability (PWD), drowned at the Binmaley Beach in Pangasinan on January 1, 2025.

According to his brother, Eric, Franklin went swimming with his son and nephews but was carried away by strong waves.

“’Maliligo ako,’ sabi niya… kasama yung anak tapos tatlong pamangkin, pumunta sila, hinayaan ko lang. Mga isang oras, bumalik yung pamangkin namin. Ang sabi niya, ‘Tito, nalunod si Tito,’” Eric said.

Personnel of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) rushed Franklin to the hospital but he was declared dead on arrival.

“Pagdating doon sa LDH, sabi ng doktor, 7-10 minutes na patay na ‘yung pasyente,” Armenia Delos Angeles, Binmaley MDRRM Officer, said.

Franklin, despite his disability and missing right leg, was known to be a good swimmer.

“Masakit sa amin din. Bagong taon, wala na siya. Nalulungkot kami. Masakit din sa pamilya namin na nawalan kami,” Eric said.

Pangasinan reported nine drowning incidents from December 31, 2024, to January 1, 2025. Three cases were recorded in Lingayen; two in Bolinao; and one each in Binmaley, Mabini, San Fabian, and Dagupan City.

Authorities continue to warn the public about swimming in open waters, especially when strong waves pose significant risk.