Boy drowns in Mambaling

CEBU, Philippines – A 14-year-old boy was drowned while swimming with his friends in the seawaters off South Road Properties in Mambaling yesterday afternoon.

Runel Olasiman, 14, a resident of A. Lopez, Labangon, died immediately after he was rushed to the Cebu City Medical Center. His friend, Junaed Enoc, 12, was in critical condition at the CCMC as of last night.

According to Jordan Nadela, 10, they were playing volleyball when they decided to go swimming. Seven of them came along, including his brother nine-year-old Jasper, brothers Frederico, 14, and Jimboy Patiño, 6, and Maymay Olasiman, 13, a cousin of Runel.

When they arrived at the area at about 2:30 p.m., Runel, Frederico, Junaed, and Maymay immediately went swimming while the rest played nearby.

While swimming, Frederico dared his friends to go farther. But moments later, Frederico shouted “Tabang bay!”

Jordan, thinking that it was a prank, did not bother to respond but an unidentified resident in the area noticed that the four were drowning and told the others to call the security guards for assistance.

Frederico, who knows how to swim, managed to get Junaed first out of the water before trying to rescue the others.

Runel who didn’t know how to swim was clinging to a ball which he later let go of as he tried to get hold of Frederico. But he wasn’t able to hold on too long.

People who learned of the incident immediately called the police. — Iris Christine Cornito and Angelica Odias/LPM (THE FREEMAN)