14-year-old drowns in public pool

CEBU, Philippines - A 14-year-old drowned in a public swimming pool in Barangay Bolocboloc, Barili, Cebu Sunday afternoon.

Anastacio Elguirra III, of Dakit, Barili, Cebu, and a Grade 6 student of Dakit Elementary School, was declared dead on arrival at the hospital after he reportedly drowned at the Bolocboloc swimming pool around 12 p.m.

According to Police Officer 2 Gilbert Encabo of Barili Police Station, the 42-year-old mother of the victim, Hermenia, reported to their office his son’s death.

Police investigation revealed that at around 8 a.m. on Sunday, Anastacio left their house without asking permission from his parents.

The parents did not know that their son was heading to the swimming pool in Bolocboloc, which is just a few minutes away from their barangay.

Encabo said Anastacio was later brought to the hospital after the boy was seen not moving underwater.

He said Soperiana Rasul, the in-charge of the ticketing booth of the public swimming pool, was the one who rushed the boy to the Barili District Hospital. However, Anastacio was declared dead-on-arrival.

Encabo said it was Anastacio’s friends, Igie and Aron, who went to the victim’s residence to tell his parents about what happened to their son.

 “Lawom pud gyud kaayo ang swimming pool gud,” said Encabo. — (FREEMAN)