2 elementary students drown in Bohol irrigation canal

INQUIRER FILES

TAGBILARAN CITY— A tragic incident claimed the lives of two young pupils who drowned while swimming in an irrigation canal in Ubay, Bohol on Tuesday, March 3.

The victims, aged 9 and 10, were both Grade 3 students of Governor Boyles Elementary School.

According to a report from the Ubay Police Station, the children’s bodies were found at around 10 a.m., but the incident was formally reported to authorities at about 5 p.m.

Initial investigation showed that the pupils were sent home early from school after their teacher went on sick leave, resulting in the cancellation of classes.

Instead of returning home, the two reportedly agreed to swim in a National Irrigation Administration (NIA) canal located in Purok 2 in Barangay Boyles.

Police said the canal’s water depth and strong current caused the drowning. Their bodies were recovered approximately 300 meters away from the spot where they were believed to have started swimming.

The Municipal Health Office ruled drowning as the cause of death.

Authorities said the tragedy serves as a painful reminder for parents and guardians to closely monitor their children, especially when they are near potentially dangerous areas such as irrigation canals and rivers. /gsg