By Jennifer P. Rendon
A 54-year-old man drowned while on a family excursion on the morning of May 26 at Tigbauan, Iloilo.
The victim was identified as Julio Compendio Montaña, 54, a resident of Barangay Janipa-an Este, Cabatuan, Iloilo.
Reports said the victim and his family went to the beach a day after the interment of a relative. Some of his relatives were scheduled to return abroad, prompting the family gathering.
Master Sergeant Amy Acevedo, Tigbauan police investigator, said the group arrived at Nenita’s Beach Resort in Barangay Baguingin, Tigbauan.
While some were arranging their things, Montaña, still under the influence of liquor, immediately headed to the water and swam.
Fifteen minutes later, one of his companions heard someone had drowned. A lifeguard immediately called for assistance from the Tigbauan Emergency Response Team.
The victim was rushed to Rep. Pedro G. Trono Memorial Hospital in Guimbal, Iloilo, where he was pronounced dead at 8:57 a.m.
