3 children drown in fishpond

BAYAMBANG, Pangasinan, Philippines  – Three children drowned while playing in a fishpond in Barangay Nalsian Sur here Thursday morning.

Reports reaching the provincial police command identified the victims as Niko Bughaw, five; Annaliza Sarmiento, five; and Alexander Liego, four, all residents of Barangay Nalsian Sur.

Investigation said that prior to the incident, the three children were playing at the compound until their families noticed that they had disappeared, prompting a search for them.

The report said Rodolfo Liego, grandfather of Alexander, saw his grandson’s slippers at the bank of the fishpond, prompting him and his neighbors to go underwater where they found the bodies of the three victims.

The victims were rushed to hospitals but were declared dead on arrival.

Police were still conducting further investigation into the incident.