Man who saved six companions from drowning found dead

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – A man sacrificed his life to save his six companions from drowning at Sitio Pasil, Barangay Latasan, E.B. Magalona, Negros Occidental last Wednesday.

Police Captain Eric Doronilla, town police chief, said that John Mark Dedoyco, 22, of Barangay 1, was found lifeless a few hours after he drowned at the sea in Barangay Latasan. He was the one reported missing in the incident.

Doronilla said that about 40 individuals, who are mostly minors joined a team building organized by a facilitator of the youth of a Church based in Talisay City.

Dedoyco was just invited by one of the members of the youth to join the team building, when the incident happened, according to Doronila.

Of the number, seven of them, including Dedoyco went swimming. However, they were swept by huge waves brought about by the high tide.

Dedoyco reportedly rescued his companions, wherein three of them were minors aged 13, 16, and 17.

But, Doronilla said that Dedoyco failed to survive. “Basi bala sa sobra niya ka langoy, ginkapoy man siya kag nagtaas na gid ang tubig,” the police chief added.

Doronilla said the six rescued individuals were already stable, while one of them was referred to a hospital here.

Doronila said the activity had no consent from the Church based on the statement of a pastor, the police chief said, adding that the facilitator also did not coordinate with the barangay.

“Ka delikado na abi, na indi niya bala kabisado ang lugar,” Doronilla said.

Doronilla said the minor-participants in the activity were already turned over to their parents, while assessment is ongoing to determine the liability of the organizer.

Since the area is situated at the boundary of Silay City and E.B. Magalona town, the incident was initially reported in Barangay Balaring which is covered by the neighboring city of Silay, but it was later confirmed that it happened in E.B. Magalona town.