‘Personal safety’ is priority among beach goers

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Negros Occidental stressed the importance of personal safety among beach goers.

Commander Joe Luviz Mercurio, newly designated commander of PCG-northern Negros Occidental, advised excursionists to be very careful when they go to beaches or any resort.

Mercurio made this statement after John Louis Espida, an alleged non-swimmer, drowned while reportedly drunk in a resort in Cadiz City over the weekend.

Espida’s friends, however, clarified that their friend was not drunk when the incident happened.

Mercurio said that it was an accident, and nobody wants it, as he maintained that his earlier statement was based on the initial findings on the victim.

Mercurio said that Espida’s friend, who first saw him floating near a motor banca, sought the help of a lifeguard who later applied CPR on the victim.

But Espida was pronounced dead on arrival at a hospital.

“Indi sa tanan na oras may lifeguard na makita kita, not every minute nakatutok panan-awan nila sa mga beachgoers,” Mercurio said.

Thus, Mercurio stressed that personal safety should be a top priority for everyone