Envoy electrocuted while taking shower

Incoming Ambassador to Iraq Ernesto Castro died after he was electrocuted while taking a shower in his residence in San Fernando City in La Union.

Prior to his designation as chief of the Philippine mission in Baghdad, Castro was the deputy chief of mission to Tokyo, Japan. Castro was to replace Leoncio Parungao in the Iraqi capital.

The envoy’s brother, retired Army Col. Nestor Castro, said the 52-year-old victim was electrocuted while using a hand shower connected to an electric water heater inside the bathroom of his residence on No. 2 Beach Home III, Lingsat, San Fernando City.

Reports reaching Camp Crame showed that Castro shouted for help, but his wife Zenaida and nephew Zenon Malaga were unable to assist him until they had shut off the house’s main power switch.– Christina Mendez