By Felipe V. Celino
ROXAS CITY, Capiz—A 7-year-old boy drowned Sunday afternoon, December 22, while swimming at a beach in Barangay Pawa, Panay, Capiz.
The boy, identified only as “Mark” of Poblacion Ilaya, was found floating about 500 meters from where he was reported missing.
Pawa village chief Edgardo Baguio said a fisherman discovered the victim’s body around 9 a.m. on Monday, December 23.
Police reports indicated that a 25-year-old male relative had taken the victim and two other minors swimming. Shortly after, the victim went missing. Witnesses later reported seeing the boy drowning.
The village chief immediately sought assistance from the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) in Panay, the Capiz Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and the Panay police. However, the search was suspended due to strong waves.
The search and retrieval operation resumed Monday morning, and the victim was eventually found by a fisherman.
The 25-year-old relative was taken to the Panay Municipal Police Station for questioning regarding the incident.
