Body of missing mountaineer found in Zambales

The body of one of three mountaineers swept by a strong current in San Antonio, Zambales, on Sunday was found at past 3 p.m. on Wednesday.

Policemen found the body of Thaddeus Reantaso at the shoreline of the Hermana Mayor Island in Sta. Cruz town, more than 100 kilometers from the creek where he and two others were swept in the village of Pundaquit, San Antonio town, according to Senior Superintendent Rolando Felix, Zambales police chief

Felix, in a telephone interview, said the decomposing body of Reantaso was found on his 32nd birthday.

Reantaso's fellow climbers, Joseph Felarca and Jhoana Pimentel, were found dead on Sunday and Monday, respectively, by policemen and Philippine Navy frogmen. Nine of their colleagues were rescued on Sunday.

Village officials in Pundaquit said the group went to the Annawangin beach south of the village but they encountered swollen creeks on their way back to the town proper on Sunday afternoon.

Typhoon “Frank” (international codename: Fengshen) was crossing Zambales at that time, carrying strong rains and winds. By Tonette Orejas - Philippine Daily Inquirer