Boy, 13, Drowns in Dao River in Capiz

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz – A 13-year-old boy drowned while swimming in a river Friday morning, April 25, in Barangay Poblacion Ilaya, Dao, Capiz.

The victim was identified as alias Jim, a resident of Sigma town.

According to Barangay Poblacion Ilaya Punong Barangay Tomas “Monto” Ibrada, the victim and his two cousins, aged 8 and 12, went swimming near the ongoing construction of a river control project in the barangay.

Jim was reportedly accompanying his father, who was working as a foreman at the construction site.

Ibrada said the children’s distress was noticed when bystanders began shouting for help.

The Dao Emergency Response Unit, Dao Fire Station and Dao Municipal Police Station immediately responded and conducted search and rescue operations.

Rescuers quickly found the two younger boys, but it took an hour before Jim’s body was recovered.

Jim was rushed to Sen. Gerry Roxas Memorial District Hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.