Boy drowns in Tullahan River

MANILA, Philippines -  A 13-year-old boy’s body was found floating in the Tullahan River in Novaliches, Quezon City yesterday morning, a day after he went missing.

Police Officer 3 Modestino Juanson said the family of Jeffrey Maballo was unaware that the victim, a fourth-grader, went swimming with six other boys Thursday afternoon. All the boys were younger than the victim, except for one who was his age.

When Maballo drowned, his playmates were so afraid that they “all went home without telling Jeffrey’s parents about the incident,” Juanson said.

At past 7 a.m. yesterday, a laborer found Maballo’s body and fished it out of the river. Juanson said it was only then that Maballo’s playmates spoke up about what happened.