Boy drowns in Sampaloc creek; rescuers fall ill

MANILA, Philippines - A six-year-old boy died of drowning after he fell into a creek in Sampaloc, Manila Friday night while he was playing with a neighbor.

Francis Jay Aquino was identified by his 27-year-old mother, Ritchel, after three neighbors rescued him from the muddy creek.

Roel Gerona, 24; Ronnel Gerona, 21; and Robert Gerona took turns wading in the muddy creek to search for Francis.

The boy was unconscious by the time he was found. He was declared dead on arrival at the De Ocampo Memorial Medical Center.

The three men who helped rescue Francis were rushed to the Ospital ng Maynila after they fell ill, allegedly due to chemicals poured into the creek by personnel of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources earlier in the day, Senior Police Officer 2 Henry Ignacio said.

Ignacio said Ritchel was tending to her other child in her residence at the Sto. Tomas Dormitory along Legarda street in Sampaloc when a neighbor came in and inquired about her son, a playmate of the victim. It was at this juncture when a shout was heard that a boy had fallen into the creek.