Sixteen-year-old boy drowns during a picnic in Davao del Norte

INQUIRER file photo

MANILA, Philippines — A 16-year-old boy drowned at a river in Davao del Norte while on a picnic with his family on Wednesday afternoon, according to police.

In a report on Thursday, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said the unnamed victim asked his mother for permission to swim with his cousins at the river along Barangay New Malitbog in Panabo City around 2 p.m.

The victim was nowhere to be found an hour later, prompting his mother to seek the assistance of on-standby authorities near the area.

READ: PNP: 72 Holy Week deaths due to drowning nationwide

Police said its responders and Bureau of Fire Protection personnel found the victim at 4:40 p.m.

He was rushed to Panabo City Emergency Clinic, where he was declared dead on arrival.

Last year, the PNP recorded a total of 72 deaths due to drowning nationwide during Holy Week.

To lower this number and avoid more drowning fatalities this year, the police organization deployed 7,000 personnel in tourist areas like resorts and rivers to monitor the deployment of lifeguards and ensure public safety.