Man electrocuted while fishing in Janiuay

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A 28-year-old man was found dead on the morning of Dec. 10, believed to have been electrocuted while fishing in the Magapa River in Barangay Patong-Patong, Janiuay, Iloilo.

Police identified the victim only by his alias, Boy, a resident of Barangay Santo Tomas, Janiuay.

Staff Sgt. Glen Rapita, Janiuay police investigator, said the victim likely died from electrocution while using an improvised electric fishing rod, which was found beside him.

Rapita said the man was known to frequently fish in nearby villages.

According to the victim’s mother, he left home shortly after 7 a.m.

His body was discovered around 9:30 a.m. by a villager who was alerted by his dog’s persistent barking.

The dog’s owner initially thought the animal had found a monitor lizard near the riverbank.

Upon checking, they found Boy lying face down with a fishing rod connected to a car battery beneath him.

Rapita said the victim may have slipped and landed on the device while fishing.

The family declined an autopsy, telling authorities they believed no foul play was involved.