• RICHARD T. CABALLERO JR.
A 15-year-old boy reportedly drowned while swimming with his companions on Tuesday morning, at a river located at Purok Malabago, Barangay Salong, Kabankalan City.
The victim was identified as a 15-year-old student and a resident of Barangay Salong in the city, who had gone to the river with several friends for a swim.
According to the police, the boy was initially on the riverbank before jumping into the water. After he jumped, his companions noticed that he was struggling and immediately tried to help.
However, they were unable to reach and rescue the victim due to the depth of the water, which was beyond their heads.
Investigators learned that the victim did not know how to swim, which caused his drowning death.
The cadaver was later retrieved and rushed to the Kabankalan District Hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.
The family of the victim believed that there was no indication of foul play, and the death of their beloved was to be a case of accidental drowning.*
