2 dead in separate drowning incidents

CEBU, Philippines - Two persons died in separate drowning incidents in the towns of Minglanilla and Catmon on Sunday.

A family celebration turned tragic after Jerry Hibong, 28, of Barangay Uling, Naga allegedly drowned while swimming in the seawaters of Palm Beach Resort in Barangay Tungkop, Minglanilla about 4:00 in the afternoon.

Jay Rosalita, a marine engineer, tried to revive Hibong through cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The victim was later taken to the Minglanilla District Hospital but was declared dead on arrival.

The family of Hibong was said to have prevented him from swimming because he was under the influence of liquor but the latter persisted.

PO2 Wendel Arañaz of the Minglanilla Police Station said the family of Hibong started looking for him when they noticed that he was missing.

A concerned citizen who found Hibong floating in a prone position tried to pull him out of the water but due to big waves and the strong current, the dead body sank to the bottom. The body was found a few minutes after but rescuers failed to save the victim.

Arañaz said that Hibong’s father tried to revive his son by having his body hang upside-down.

“Ingon man kuno ning amahan nga ihuho which is dili unta, CPR lang gyud unta to,” she said. 

Hibong’s remains are already in their house for a vigil.

Meanwhile, a man was found floating near the riverbank of the Naghalin River in Barangay Flores, Catmon at about 7:00 in the morning last Sunday.

Wilfredo Bentulan of sitio Sto. Niño, Barangay Flores, reportedly did not know how to swim.

He was last seen fishing with a fishnet around 12:00 noon on Saturday in the seawaters off the same barangay.

Senior Police Officer 2 Elvis Arche said that Bentulan was alone during the incident.

Arche said Orlanes possibly stepped on a deep portion and was carried by the strong current causing his death.

Ramil Lim, a Barangay Intelligence Network happened to pass by the area and saw the victim.

Municipal Health Officer Dr. Edna Orlanes declared him dead.

Bentulan’s remains now lies at the Labalan Funeral Homes in Barangay Corazon. (FREEMAN)