Girl who was saved from drowning dies from illness

CEBU, Philippines - The two-year-old girl who was saved from drowning in barangay Subangdaku last January 26 during a downpour died last Monday from diarrhea.

Denise Anne dela Victoria, together with her four-year-old sibling, James, was rescued after floodwater suddenly rose in sitio Malibu that day while their parents were busy selling things at the North Bus Terminal.

Neighbors thought she was already dead after she pulled out of the water.

She however regained consciousness minutes later, expelling water she must have swallowed.

Although no one could say that her death was related to the flooding last January 26,but Barangay captain Ernie Manatad, a neighbor of the victim in sitio Malibu, said he had advised the parents to bring the child to a hospital.

Days after the incident, the child fell ill and was brought to the Mandaue City hospital only when she was very weak.

The child's mother said her daughter died at around 5 p.m. Monday. 

The child's remains now lie at a chapel in sitio Malibu.

Last January 26, barangay Subangdaku was among the barangays in Mandaue City that was flooded, the water reaching up to two meters high.

Also flooded were barangays Guizo, Mantuyong, and Tipolo. (FREEMAN)