Japanese drowns off Bohol islet

A Japanese national drowned while swimming off Pandanon Island, Bohol province last Wednesday morning.

Police said the victim, Fumihiro Tsukahara, 25, was with six other Japanese who went island hopping that day.

Tsukahara was staying at the Pacific Cebu Resort in Lapu-Lapu City.

The group came from Mactan Island on a motor banca and went to Hilutungan Island in Lapu-Lapu City before going to Pandanon Island, a popular tourist destination.

In Pandanon, the visitors went snorkeling while their guide and dive master Gervie Degulacion prepared lunch.

The group later went back to the motor banca and took off their snorkeling gear before returning to the sea to swim.

One of the Japanese, Atsushi Shikoda, was later heard shouting for help after Tsukahara disappeared.

Degulacion joined the search and found Tsukahara submerged in the water. The Japanese tourist was rushed to the Pacific Cebu Resort.

Paramedics from the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation brought the drowning victim to the Mactan Doctors’ Hospital where an attending physician declared him dead.

Police contacted the Japanese Embassy so the victim’s relatives would be notified. The body was brought to the Rolling Hills Funeral Parlor in Mandaue City for autopsy, said police. CORRESPONDENT NORMAN V. MENDOZA