13-Year-Old Boy Vanished After Swimming at Baseco Beach—7 Days Later, His Remains Were Found in an Unexpected Place

MANILA, Philippines — A week-long search for 13-year-old Rhomel Baluyot ended in tragedy after authorities found his remains at a landfill in Navotas, near the boundary with Obando, Bulacan.

Rhomel had been reported missing after swimming with a friend at Baseco Beach in Manila. According to reports, he was swept away by strong currents during the southwest monsoon, or Habagat. His friend survived the incident.

Authorities eventually located the boy’s body at the Navotas landfill on Sunday evening, ending days of search-and-retrieval operations.

The Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) contacted Rhomel’s family to verify whether the recovered remains belonged to him. His mother, Roselyn, confirmed his identity.

Seven days of searching

Rhomel’s disappearance triggered a search involving personnel from the Manila MDRRMO, the Philippine Coast Guard and the Bureau of Fire Protection.

During the initial search, rescuers faced difficult water conditions. MDRRMO search team leader Primo Bating Jr. previously described the currents around the area as shifting directions, with water movement influenced by the Pasig River and Manila Bay, while intermittent rain further complicated the operation.

According to his father, Ronald, Rhomel had initially told the family that he was going to Baseco to use a computer before he and a friend decided to swim.

The boy was reportedly able to swim, but the strong current proved too difficult to overcome. His friend reportedly tried to keep him from being swept away, but Rhomel was eventually carried away by the water.

Family finally gets an answer

For Rhomel’s family, the recovery of his remains brought devastating confirmation but also an end to the uncertainty surrounding his disappearance.

His mother said she recognized her son when authorities showed her a photograph of the recovered remains, despite the image not clearly showing his face.

While grieving, she said knowing that her son had been found gave the family some relief because they no longer had to wonder whether he might still be alive.

Rhomel was laid to rest on Monday. The Manila local government reportedly helped shoulder burial expenses and provided financial assistance to the family.

Authorities warn against swimming at Baseco Beach

The tragedy has also renewed attention on the longstanding warning against swimming at Baseco Beach.

Authorities had previously reminded residents that swimming in the area is prohibited. During the earlier search for Rhomel, the MDRRMO also called for increased patrols to prevent children from entering the water.

GMA News had previously reported that Baseco Beach remained off-limits for swimming, with authorities citing dangerous conditions and the area’s water quality concerns. A previous GMA report also noted that the beach had continued to fail fecal-coliform standards at the time of that report.

Rhomel’s death serves as another painful reminder that seemingly calm coastal waters can become dangerous, particularly when strong currents, rain and monsoon conditions are present.

For his family, however, the warning came too late.

After days of hoping for his safe return, their search ended with the discovery of their 13-year-old son—bringing an answer to a question no parent ever wants to face.