Girl’s death in radio set electrocution to be probed

TAGUM CITY—Davao del Norte Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario had ordered an investigation of the death of a 12-year-old girl in Asuncion town who got electrocuted while using a transistor radio given during a disaster awareness campaign by the provincial government.

The provincial government has also extended assistance to the family of Amity Grace dela Cruz, Del Rosario said.

Dela Cruz was using a rechargable transistor radio inside her house in the village of Buclad when she was electrocuted around 10 a.m. on Monday, according to village officials and the girl’s relatives.

William Zafra, village councilor, said at least six transistor radios were raffled off to villagers on Sept. 19 in connection with the implementation of Oplan Andam (Advocacy on Natural Disaster Awareness and Mitigation), a disaster awareness campaign of the provincial disaster risk reduction management council.

Del Rosario said the council recalled the radios that had been distributed to villagers following the incident.

Zafra said all of the radios received by his village have been causing “electrical shock.”

The governor said he and other provincial officials are saddened by the girl’s death.

“The family wants an investigation,” said Zafra, the girl’s uncle. He said Amity Grace is a consistent honor student and “would have been a valedictorian.” “Her death was a big loss to the family,” said Zafra.

The provincial government had bought over 200 transistor radios in connection with its disaster awareness campaign, said Sofonias Gabonada, provincial information officer.

Gabonada said the purchase of the radios went through regular bidding and from an accredited supplier that was not identified.

Gabonada said the gadgets had been tested by competent technical people before these were given to village officials.

He said the fact-finding investigation would also look into possible handling lapses, following reports that the victim had placed the radio on her chest and turned it on as the gadget is being charged.

“We really feel the loss,” said Gabonada.

A fact-finding team had been formed to investigate, he said. It would be composed of technical people and the provincial legal officer.

Del Rosario sought to give assurances of a “speedy conduct of investigation.” Frinston L. Lim, Inquirer Mindanao