Body of missing pregnant Aeta found after 4-day search in Zambales lake

SAN ANTONIO, Zambales — The body of a pregnant Aeta woman who had been missing since a boat capsized in Mapanuepe Lake in San Marcelino, Zambales, was recovered Sunday, Aug. 30, four days after the incident.

The Philippine Coast Guard confirmed that the body of 26-year-old Arryn Paanan Liwanag was recovered at 11:20 a.m., bringing the death toll to nine.

Liwanag was the last of three people who remained missing after the boat carrying 13 Aetas capsized near the Sunken Church in Barangay Buhawen on Aug. 27.

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The bodies of the other two missing passengers, Chandnea Serrano Dela Cruz, 3, and Anqelito Serrano Liwanag, 8, were recovered on Saturday.

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READ: Bodies of 2 missing Aeta children retrieved from Zambales lake

The other fatalities were identified as Elvis Tiglao Pabalan, 33; Joanavie Mae Tiglao Pabalan; Sally Serrano Dela Cruz, 29; Prince Lenard Serrano Dela Cruz, 1; Evelyn Yurik Lagman, 45; and Cedric Serrano Liwanag, 2. Four others survived.

The 13 Aetas were from a community in Sitio Lumibao, located across Mapanuepe Lake from the main part of Barangay Buhawen. Residents have to cross the lake by boat to reach the village proper.

The group had gone to Barangay Buhawen for a vaccination program and a 4Ps meeting and was returning to Sitio Lumibao when the boat encountered strong winds and rough waters and capsized.

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READ: 6 Aeta, including 3 children, die as boat capsizes in Zambales lake

Search and rescue operations continued for four days, with responders repeatedly suspending the operation because of unfavorable weather conditions.

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With Liwanag’s recovery, all 13 people aboard the boat have now been accounted for—nine dead and four survivors. /atm