Four drown over the weekend

CEBU, Philippines - Four people, including a minor, drowned in separate incidents over the weekend as most people took advantage of the holidays to go on swimming with the members of the family and friends.

Among those who spent their Easter Sunday at the beach was the family of Novo Gorgonio, 12, of Barangay Poblacion, Pinamungajan. But the supposed celebration ended up in a tragedy when Novo drowned few minutes before they’re supposed to finish the family outing at the Louie Beach Resort in Tajao, Pinamungajan.

Melvin Gorgonio, 43, told the police that they were already preparing to leave when he heard a commotion at the swimming pool area and found his son already unconscious.

“Paingon na sila manguli anang nidalikyat ug kaligo ang biktima balik sa swimming pool mao na to’ng pagkalumus niya,” said SPO1 Peter Cuanso Jr.

The lifeguards tried to resuscitate the victim before he was rushed to Toledo City Hospital where he was declared dead on arrival.

In another incident, Jose Labradilla, 59, of Barangay Guiwanon, Barili, drowned at 6:45 p.m. Sunday while trying to retrieve his pair of slippers.

Labradilla was reportedly aboard a paddleboat when his pair of slippers fell into the water forcing him jump overboard to retrieve it.

Labradilla drowned when he could not anymore climb back on his paddleboat. His neighbors said the victim was under the influence of liquor.

He was rushed to Barili District Hospital where he was declared dead on arrival.

Another man believed to be under the influence of liquor also drowned Saturday in Tabuelan town.

Erwin Pautan, 32, of Barangay Kantubaon, was swimming with his friends at the Maravilla Beach Resort when the incident happened. He was also rushed to the nearest hospital but was declared dead on arrival.

In San Remigio town, an elderly man drowned in Sitio Nangka, Barangay Lambusan around 9 p.m. Saturday.

Panfilo Maglasang, 58, of Barangay Batad, reportedly went on fishing early Saturday morning but failed to return, prompting his family to search for him. His body was found floating off Barangay Lambusan at 9 p.m.

PO3 Erwin Odeña said the victim was also under the influence of liquor when he went out to fish.  (FREEMAN)