Two teens die of drowning in Iloilo

By: Jennifer P. Rendon

TWO teenage boys drowned in two separate incidents in Iloilo province over the weekend.

The two fatalities were identified as Roel Tumlod, 18, of Barangay Malapaya, Sara, and Kent Rollen Gelar, 17, of Barangay Marirong, Leon town.

Tumlod and some companions were celebrating a friend’s birthday on Saturday at a resort in San Dionisio town when the incident happened.

Believed to be drunk, Tumlod went swimming around 3 p.m. He was last seen alive shouting for help with his arms flailing in the air.

Police Captain Rene del Castillo, San Dionisio police chief, said friends rescued him several minutes later. He was rushed to the hospital but was declared dead on arrival.

Meanwhile, Gelar’s body was found a day after he went missing while swimming at Poblacion South, Oton.

Police Executive Master Sergeant Gaudioso Yudelmo, Oton deputy police chief, said the victim went swimming Sunday afternoon.

He was swimming back to the shoreline when he was swept by strong current.

Gelar was with some friends when the incident happened.

His body was later found floating in the area Monday morning.