SAN PEDRO CITY — A Filipino businessman died while swimming near Helicopter Island, a popular destination of tourists in El Nido town in Palawan province, police said in a belated report Monday.
According to the police, victim Oliver Tan Ong, 45, owned a branch of the Chicago Popcorn Shops in Mandaluyong City.
Lt. Col. Imelda Tolentino, spokesperson of the Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan police, said Ong and his friends went to the Helicopter island around noon on Sunday.
Police said the victim refused to wear a jacket when he left their boat to swim and dive in the vicinity. His companions later saw him unconscious floating in the water and took him back to the main island of El Nido.
Police said Ong was dead when they arrived in the Medical City at 12:10 p.m.
Edited by JE
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