LEGAZPI CITY -– Five persons drowned in two separate incidents in the province of Albay during the weekend.

        The first incident took place in Legazpi City last December 29, when five teen-age boys from Bariada, this city, went swimming in the sea near Yawa River.

        One of the boys drowned while swimming, was identified as Jason Balando, 14, of Bariada who was retrieved by the Philippine Navy frogmen.

        Another companion, Gerard Aguilar, 15, of the same address was first reported missing. But the following day, the lifeless body of Gerard was retrieved by the Navy rescue team some 40 feet under the sea.

        Earlier on Saturday, three of the boys were rescued alive by Mario Pancho, a Navy reservist.

        On Jan. 1, 2008, another tragedy occurred when three persons drowned while crossing the spillway of Nagas River at Sitio Tingtingan, Nagas, Tiwi, Albay.

        Police identified the victim as Jose Vargas, 55, his son Joel, 26, and Joel’s girlfriend Rosie Binoya, 26.

        Joseph Vargas, 14, son of Jose, survived the accident. The three people were carried away by the strong current of the Nagas River, police said.

        Jose’s body was retrieved at about 7:15 a.m. Jan. 2 at Brgy. Taihi, Tabaco City; Joel’s body was found at about 11 p.m. Jan. 1 at Sitio Sabang, Brgy. Manok Malinao, Albay.