Caretaker faces charges over teen’s electrocution in Roxas City

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz — A property caretaker is facing possible charges after a 17-year-old girl was electrocuted while sitting on a concrete bench in Barangay Dumolog on Saturday afternoon, Aug. 1, 2026.

Police Lt. Col. Rogelio Tomagtang, Roxas City police chief, said the caretaker could face charges for alleged negligence resulting in the death of the senior high school student.

Police identified the girl only by the alias “Angel,” a resident of New Road in Barangay Banica.

During a news conference Monday morning, Aug. 3, Tomagtang said investigators questioned the caretaker about the incident.

Tomagtang said the caretaker acknowledged that a live electrical wire was attached to the barbed-wire fence, which investigators believe caused the girl’s electrocution.

An initial investigation found that the girl was passing through the area after a brief jog at the beach.

Police said the victim apparently did not know that electricity was running through the fence.

The girl was sitting on a concrete bench beneath the fence when she reportedly came into contact with it and was electrocuted.

Former Barangay Dumolog chair Richard Mario Artillero, one of the first people to respond, said he had detected electricity in the fence before the incident.

Artillero said the fence had no warning sign or other safety device.

He said he immediately informed the property’s caretaker about the suspected electrical hazard.

Artillero said the caretaker denied that electricity was leaking into the barbed-wire fence.

He said he was shocked when he later learned that someone had been electrocuted.

Artillero asked the caretaker to disconnect the electricity in the hope that the victim could still be saved.

The girl was already unresponsive when responders reached her.

Responders declared her dead at the scene.

Police had not specified the exact charge to be filed as of the report.

Under Article 365 of the Revised Penal Code, reckless imprudence or negligence involves a voluntary act or omission without malice that causes harm because of an inexcusable lack of precaution.

The Supreme Court has said a reckless imprudence case requires proof of the negligent act or omission, resulting damage and an inexcusable failure to take precautions under the circumstances.

The victim’s family blamed the property owner for the allegedly electrified fence.

The family said it is seeking justice for Angel’s death.