Student drowns in Ajuy seawaters after drinking session

By Jennifer P. Rendon

An 18-year-old student died after drowning in the seawaters of Ajuy, Iloilo, on the early afternoon of Oct. 7.

Alias Jay-R, a resident of Sitio Casamata, Barangay Central, Ajuy, was with three classmates when the incident occurred.

Captain John Michael Dalipe, Ajuy police chief, said the group began drinking around 11 a.m. Tuesday near the seawaters of Sitio Dawis, Barangay Poblacion, Ajuy.

They went for a swim after finishing their drinks around 1 p.m.

It wasn’t long before they saw the victim struggling to stay afloat.

They reportedly tried to rescue him but gave up and asked for help around 2 p.m.

Members of the Bureau of Fire Protection and the Ajuy Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office conducted a search and rescue operation.

The victim was found at 4 p.m. near the area where he drowned.

He was rushed to Sara District Hospital, where he was declared dead at 5:02 p.m.

Dalipe said some residents claimed swimmers are mysteriously pulled underwater in the same area where Jay-R drowned.

Others believe there is a cave-like hole in the area that creates suction strong enough to pull swimmers below the surface.