BONTOC, Mountain Province – Two men were found dead Tuesday after they reportedly went swimming in the Agkhuyo River in Barangay Samoki, Bontoc, Mountain Province.

The victims were identified as Jeremiah Binan Guing-oy, 25, of Poblacion, Mankayan, Benguet, and a 38-year-old resident of Middle Quirino Hill, Baguio City. Police withheld the identity of the older victim pending notification of his family.

Both victims were employees of a local bakeshop.

Their bodies were discovered Tuesday morning after their co-workers went to the river to search for them.

Responding personnel from the Bontoc Police, Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Municipal Health Office, Bontoc Municipal Fire Station, and the Mountain Province Provincial Police Office's Scene of the Crime Operatives Forensic Group recovered the bodies.

A post-mortem examination conducted by the municipal health officer confirmed that both men died of drowning.

Initial police investigation showed that the victims, along with three companions, went on a picnic at the river on Monday, 29 June. At around 3 p.m., the two men reportedly swam upstream but failed to return.

After several hours, their companions searched the area but were unable to locate them. Their employer reported the incident to the Bontoc Police at around 7:30 p.m.

The Bontoc local government has coordinated with the local governments of Mankayan, Benguet, and Baguio City to inform the victims' families and facilitate the transport of their remains.

The victims' employer also helped notify Guing-oy's family.

Meanwhile, the Bontoc Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council appealed to the public to refrain from posting insensitive or negative comments about the incident and instead show compassion and respect for the victims and their families.