By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD CITY – An 11-year-old boy died after he drowned in a stream at Purok Seawall, Barangay Punta Taytay here last Tuesday.
Police Captain Michael Tuburan, head of Police Station 9, identified the victim as a certain “Toto,” of Barangay Tangub here.
Tuburan said the victim and his two companions, who are also minors, went to the stream to play when they later decided to swim.
However, after several minutes, his two companions were surprised when they saw the victim lying face down and was already unconscious.
Tuburan said that one of them asked for help from an e-bike driver, who reported the incident to the police.
Rescuers responded and tried reviving the victim, but he was declared dead on arrival at the hospital.
Tuburan said the victim was last seen alive by his aunt around 9:30 a.m. that day.
He would usually leave their house without permission, according to his aunt, the station commander added.
Tuburan said the victim and his companions can be considered street children, as they would usually go from one place to another without proper supervision of their parents.
In fact, he said the victim had reached Bago City, Negros Occidental in the past weeks, and was brought home by the police.
Following this incident, Tuburan reminded parents to be mindful of their children and to always ensure their safety.
