By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

A swimming party welcoming the new year in Santa Catalina, Negros Oriental ended in tragedy Wednesday afternoon when two individuals drowned. Authorities identified the fatalities as 21-year-old Rona Fabro, a resident Sitio Pinangimnan Barangay Obat in the said town; and 16-year-old John Mark Fabro.
Meanwhile, Camille Fabro and Rena Fabro were rescued and immediately transferred to Dumaguete City for medical attention.
Rescuers brought the victims to the Bayawan City District Hospital for immediate medical attention; however, Rona and John Mark were declared dead on arrival./DGB, WDJ