Boy drowns in river; cops eye suicide

MANILA, Philippines - A teenager suddenly dove into a river in Quezon City and drowned in what police believe might have been suicide since the boy was scolded by his parents prior to the incident.

Police Officer 2 Alvin Quisumbing said the body of John Hendric Bardoquillo, 14, was recovered at past 6 p.m. Sunday from San Juan River in Barangay Damayang Lagi.

Bardoquillo’s friend, Benjie Pastor, said they were taking a stroll along the riverbank at around noon when, without a word, Bardoquillo suddenly took off his shirt, gave it to his friend then dove into the river. The water in that part of the river was around six meters deep.

When Bardoquillo did not return to the surface, Pastor reported the incident to the village officials, who contacted the Philippine Coast Guard for help.

Quisumbing said the boy was allegedly always being scolded by his parents. The boy’s friends told police Bardoquillo had been telling them goodbye over the past several days.