PNP records 9 drowning cases in first few days of April

WELCOME RESPITE Children and adults take a dip in the swimming pool to beat the summer heat. INQUIRER file photo / RICHARD REYES

MANILA, Philippines — A total of nine drowning incidents were recorded in five days of April this year, according to Philippine National Police (PNP).

“Nine drowning incidents nationwide have already been reported. Patuloy ang paalala sa ating mga kababyan sa mga naliligo sa dagat sa swimming pool at ilog,” Col. Bernard Banac, PNP spokesperson said in a press briefing at PNP headquarters on Thursday.

From April 5 to 10, 2019, the reported deaths were in San Antonio, Zambales (seawater); Bagac, Bataan (seawater); Norzagaray, Bulacan (river); Rodriguez, Rizal (swimming pool); Claveria, Misamis Oriental (Waterfalls); Biñan City, Laguna (River); Cantilan, Surigao del Sur (seawater); Panglao, Bohol (seawater); and Compostela, Cebu (swimming pool).

Among the list of casualties, the youngest was four-year-old boy named Jillboy Tulod, who drowned at Green Lagoon Beach Resort in Compostela, Cebu.

PNP announced this data to remind the public to be careful while visiting swimming destinations during the summer break.

“If you plan to swim on a beach, you have to make sure that you are in the company of people who know how to swim and know the first aid station in the vicinity as well as the PNP assistance desk,” Banac said in a statement. /jpv

READ: LIST: PNP’s summer vacation safety tips