APD | Newly-wed Filipino couple drown in maldives

By APD writer Melo M. Acuna

MANILA，Jan.14(APD)- The Department of Foreign Affairs has confirmed a newly-wed Filipino couple on a honeymoon trip to the Maldives drowned yesterday.

In a statement, the DFA said they have already expressed its sympathies to the families of the Filipino couple who drowned yesterday while on their honeymoon in the famed tourist spot.

“The DFA is in touch with the next of kin of the two overseas workers and has assured them of its assistance in the repatriation of their remains,” the DFA said in a statement released Monday mid-afternoon.

It was learned the Philippine Embassy in Dhaka, which has jurisdiction over the Maldives, has been instructed to coordinate with authorities in the Maldives and in making arrangements for the repatriation of the two drowning victims who both are from Laguna province.

The couple were married last December 18 and left Manila for their honeymoon on January 9. Authorities reported that the 29-year old wife and her 30-year old husband were guests in a resort in Dhiffushi island and were snorkeling when they started drowning.

Both were rescued by resort workers but were pronounced dead upon arrival at a local hospital. Authorities were still investigating the incident, the DFA statement concluded. The same report did not identify the victims’ identities.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)