• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
A minor and a laborer were reported by the police to have drowned on Sunday in Himamaylan City and neighboring Binalbagan town, both in Negros Occidental.
A 9-year-old student was reportedly trying to retrieve a ball, when he slipped and fell into the river at Barangay Tooy, Himamaylan City, on Sunday, according to the police.
Almost one hour after the incident was reported, the lifeless body of the victim was recovered by members of the Himamaylan City rescue team.
He was declared dead on arrival at the Himamaylan District Hospital, the Himamaylan police said.
The Himamaylan City police ruled out foul play in the death of the minor.
A 36-year-old laborer was also reported by the police to have died of drowning on January 19 at Purok Bay-bay in Brgy. San Juan, Binalbagan, Negros Occidental.
The lifeless body was recovered at a river the next day, by members of the Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Offices of Binalbagan and Hinigaran.
The family of the victim believe that the drowning incident was purely accidental, according to the Binalbagan police.*
