A 10-year-old boy drowned in the Angalacan River in Barangay Pag-asa, San Jacinto, Pangasinan.

The victim and three of his friends went swimming when he was swept into the deeper part of the river.

“Yung dalawang kasama, nung nakita [na] nalulunod kapatid ko, nagtawag sila ng magba-backhoe. Hindi ma[i-ligtas], kaya 'yung dalawang bantay-dagat [nag-responde]... tapos hinintay nilang bumalik po yung dalawa[ng bata] po doon. Pagdating nung dalawa, tinuro nila saan nila nakita kapatid ko saka doon lang po nila nakita [katawan niya],” the victim’s sibling said.

Rescuers rushed the boy to the hospital, but he was declared dead on arrival.

Authorities reminded the public, especially minors, to be extra careful when swimming in rivers, particularly with the Holy Week approaching.

"Hindi tayo nagkukulang lalong-lalo na malapit na ang Seana Santa. Hindi naman po tayo pinipigilan na tayo po ay mag-swimming para mag-enjoy po tayo. Kailangan lang may nakaantabay tayong guardians lalo na mga minor. Ang safety at security po ay everybody’s concern," PCpt. Jesus Flores, deputy chief of the San Jacinto Police Station, said.

The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) also issued a warning against swimming in rivers, especially for minors.