Two sisters drown in Sapangdaku River in Toledo City

CEBU – Two sisters in Toledo City drowned while trying to cross an excavated portion of the Sapangdaku River last Friday afternoon.

According to the report reaching the Cebu Provincial Police Office, Mary Ann Traña, 10, and her sister Bernadeth, seven, of sitio Buswang, barangay Cambang-ug, Toledo City, drowned in an excavated portion of Sapangdaku River past 1 p.m. last Friday.

According to PO3 Gemelon Cotmaya, the sisters were with their cousin, seven-year-old Gina Racaza, on their way to fetch their brother at the other side of the river.

As they were already at the other side and tracing the edge of the river, Bernadeth suddenly slipped on a wet portion of stockpiled boulders and vanished into the water.

The area, according to the police, was estimated to be 14 feet deep since it was being excavated for sand. The site was within the premises of the sand and gravel business of a certain Marcelino Besañes.

Seeing her younger sister disappear into the water, Mary Ann jumped in an attempt to save her but also failed to surface.

Racaza ran to their nearest neighbor who tried to save the sisters but they were nowhere to be found. Their bodies were found floating just a few meters from each other more than an hour later.

The mother of the girls Divina Traña reported the incident to the police for records purposes and also to seek help from the city government.

Police said the barangay may call on the permittee of the excavated area to determine if certain violations were made. – Ferliza C. Contratista/BRP (THE FREEMAN)