Fisherman drowns in Tigbauan waters

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A fisherman drowned in the waters of Tigbauan, Iloilo, on the afternoon of September 16.

Mark Rogie Grafane, 34, a resident of Barangay Atabayan, Tigbauan, went missing around 4:30 p.m. while diving with his companion, Jan Reycel Dizon, 24, to retrieve a pump boat propeller.

The propeller belonged to Hernanie Dela Cruz, and both men entered the water at approximately 4 p.m.

After 30 minutes, Dizon reported he could no longer locate Grafane, prompting residents to seek help from the Tigbauan Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and the Philippine Coast Guard.

Grafane was rescued 20 minutes later but was found unconscious.

He was rushed to Pedro Trono Memorial Hospital in Guimbal town, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Even the sea demands caution—stay safe, always.