Boy drowns in private pool

MANILA, Philippines - A seven-year-old boy drowned while swimming with a friend at a private pool of an enterprising homeowner in Bagong Silang, Caloocan City Wednesday.

Police Officer 3 Joselito Bagting said second grader Russel Agwanta and his friend, Ricardo Carranza, 8, had just finished their classes at past noon when they decided to swim in the pool of Emilia Padan. The two allegedly paid P20 for a 30-minute swim in Padan’s pool.

Several minutes later, Padan saw Carranza crying for help and sinking. Bagting said Padan managed to save Carranza, but Agwanta apparently drowned earlier, unnoticed.

Agwanta was taken to the Nodados General Hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival. Padan is facing charges of homicide through reckless imprudence and negligence.