CEBU, Philippines - A still unidentified man drowned at the Mactan Channel after he fell into the water when his footing slipped while climbing up the Cabahug wharf in Mandaue City past 10 am yesterday.
PO2 Roy Andrin of the Mandaue police said witnesses James Baylosis, 40, and Cristine Laroga, 24, saw the man swimming by himself at the wharf yesterday morning but as he was climbing up the pier, his footing reportedly slipped that he fell to a cemented part of the wharf, hit his head on the pavement, and fell back into the water.
Witnesses also said the man still struggled in the water and was frantically waving for help but no one reportedly came to his rescue.
The man was already dead when members of the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation fished him off the water moments later.
ERUF personnel said the man sustained a severe injury on the head, presumably caused by his falling to the concrete part of the wharf.
The Cabahug wharf is right below the old Mandaue-Mactan bridge.
The man’s remains lie at the Rolling Hills funeral parlor in barangay Banilad, Cebu City. - Niña G. Sumacot/JMO (THE FREEMAN)