71-Year-Old American Drowns in Iloilo City Hotel Pool

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A 71-year-old American citizen died of suspected drowning after swimming in a hotel pool late morning on June 1 in City Proper, Iloilo City.

Police identified the victim only as “Jose,” a resident of Idaho, USA.

He was found submerged in the pool of a hotel located in Barangay Danao, City Proper.

Jose, a retired U.S. Navy sailor, was born to Filipino parents.

A hotel maintenance worker discovered the victim at around 11:58 a.m.

The worker jumped into the pool in an attempt to rescue him.

Responders from the Philippine Red Cross arrived and performed first aid.

The victim was brought to Saint Paul’s Hospital, but was declared dead on arrival.

Reports said Jose and his brother were visiting relatives in La Paz district.

They checked in at the hotel around 11 p.m. on Saturday.

On Sunday morning, they went to church before returning to the hotel.

Closed-circuit television footage showed the victim entering the pool at around 11:50 a.m.

Staff Sergeant Alberto Espinosa of Iloilo City Police Station 1 said it likely took only a few minutes for the victim to drown.

The deepest part of the pool is reportedly 6 feet.