Boy drowns during birthday party swim in Cebu
CEBU CITY—A 13-year-old boy drowned during a birthday celebration at a beach resort in Liloan town in Cebu, some 18.8 km north of Cebu City.
Tommy Catilcong was with his older sister, 17-year-old Mildred, attending a birthday party of a neighbor, Famkie Olam, at Pilapil’s Park in Catarman, Liloan.
The resort is near Suba Bridge where the water current is strong.
PO1 Christian Laurito, investigator of the Liloan Municipal Police Station, said the celebration started early morning on Wednesday. But the incident happened at around 2:45 p.m.
Laurito said Tommy, his sister, and friends were frolicking in the waters when Mildred suddenly saw her brother being swept away by a strong current.
“Mildred was able to hold onto his younger brother but lost her grip. He then disappeared into the waters,” Laurito said.
The group called for assistance and a search-and-rescue operation was conducted.
At 4:52 p.m., the body of Tommy was found within the vicinity of another resort near Suba Bridge.
Laurito said Tommy was brought to Mendero Medical Center in Consolacion, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
