Couple dies of electrocution

CEBU, Philippines - A couple met their untimely death after they were electrocuted by no less than the main line of the Cebu Electric Company that was pulled down to the ground by a fallen Ipil-Ipil tree.

The incident happened last Monday evening in Barangay Cogon Cruz, Danao City just a few meters from the victims’ house.

SPO4 Jose Salingua told The FREEMAN that couple Artemio Bohol, 50, and his live-in partner, Presentacion, 43, were traveling home on board their motorcycle from Barangay Poblacion when they saw the tree blocking the road.

The couple came from Barangay Poblacion to deliver “chicharon.”

“Brown-out ato na time nya kusug ang uwan ug hangin. Gikan ang duha sa Poblacion kay ga-deliver ug chicharon. Apan pag-abot nila sa maong dapit, nag-ali na ang maong puno nga natumba tungod sa kakusog sa uwan ug hangin,” Salingua added.

The couple reportedly tried to set the tree aside, but because it was dark at that time, they did not notice that the main line of CEBECO had also fallen to the ground. The timing could not be worse as the electricity returned just as they were trying to lift the fallen tree, which was wet because of the rain. 

Salingua said it was Alfredo Manulat, a former captain of Barangay Cogon Cruz, who relayed the incident to them.

Artemio Bohol, 50, a “chicharon” dealer was on his way home on board a motorcycle with his live-in partner Presentacion Jimenez, 43, when they were electrocuted.

The victims were brought to the Danao District Hospital but were pronounced dead on arrival. Their remains will be subjected to post mortem examination. — THE FREEMAN