Three-year-old girl drowns in Iloilo City river

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A 3-year-old girl drowned in a river near her home in Jaro, Iloilo City, on the afternoon of Oct. 14.

The girl, identified as “Inday,” was allegedly left in the care of her uncle when the incident happened.

Her father had gone to work, while her mother died in September 2024 due to asthma.

Authorities said the victim’s uncle briefly left to buy something. He allegedly asked another minor to look after her.

Inday was reported missing around 5 p.m. Tuesday. Investigators believe she went outside the house and ended up at the river.

When her uncle returned, Inday was gone, prompting several relatives and neighbors to look for her.

She was found unconscious an hour later. She was still breathing.

Members of the Iloilo City Emergency Responders rushed her to Asia Pacific Medical Center, but she died at 7:37 p.m.

Local authorities regularly warn that unsupervised access to waterways poses a high risk to young children.