SAN GABRIEL, La Union – The body of a man who went missing on Wednesday was recovered at Tangadan Falls yesterday, casting a shadow on the popular tourist spot.

According to rescuers from the Provincial and Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PMDRRMC), Municipal Police, and Bureau of Fire Protection, Jimmy Rilloraza jumped into the water while visiting the falls with his relatives earlier this week. His nephew tried to save him when he had trouble swimming, but to no avail.

The pool at the Tangadan Falls is estimated to be 30 feet deep.

Rescuers spent a day searching for Rilloraza, and found his body Thursday afternoon, seven meters away from where he had jumped.

"No'ng nalulunod na po siya, sabi po niya, 'Tulungan niyo ako.' Tapos no'ng tinulungan ko po siya, malulunod na po kami kaya binitawan ko na. Nakokonsensiya po ako. Sana nai-survive ko iyong buhay niya," said Denver Garcia, Rilloraza's nephew.

("When he drowned, he asked us to help him. When I did, I had to let go because we were both getting pulled down. My conscience is troubling me. I hope I was able to save him.")

Rilloraza's wife Donna Arcega traveled all the way from San Fernando City, La Union to wait until the rescuers could pull her husband’s body from the water.

"Maliliit pa po iyong mga anak namin. Sabi ko sa kanya, huwag na siyang pumunta. Pero mapilit," she said.

("Our children are small. I told him not to go, but he insisted.")

Officials from the Municipality of San Gabriel warned tourists to check in with authorities before going to the Tangadan Falls, so that they would know how to take safety precautions.

"Apparently, particularly for this case, hindi sila dumaan sa local government at PNP. Nalaman na lang naming may nalunod daw. On our part, even before, sinasabihan na namin [ang mga turista na mag-ingat], pero dalawa kasi iyong daan papuntang Tangadan Falls. Hindi sila dumaan dito," Mayor Herminigildo Velasco said.

("They did not check in with the local government and police. We just found out that someone had drowned. We have been warning tourists to be careful, but we aren't able to guard both roads to Tangadan Falls.")

Before proceeding to Tangadan Falls, visitors are advised to seek assistance from the Municipal Office during weekdays and from the Municipal Police Station during weekends.

"Reminder lang po, hindi naman masyadong safe kapag ganitong umuulan, kaya kailangang maki-coordinate muna sila rito sa munisipyo para maipasiguro yung seguridad nila," Police Senior Inspector Ronald Allan Rupisan said.

("Reminder, it is not very safe here when it is raining, so visitors should coordinate with the municipal hall so their safety can be assured.")