Three children drowned Thursday afternoon in a water hole in Arca South, Barangay Western Bicutan in Taguig City.
(Taguig Police / MANILA BULLETIN)
The Taguig Police said the incident happened at about 12:40 p.m. on Anchor Street. The three children were playing when they fell in a water hole.
The victims were identified by the police as Dominique Nueva, 6; Reynan Sandag, 6; and Prince Almania, 8, all residents of Purok 4, PNR Site, Western Bicutan.
A citizen reported the incident to the police, which dispatched a team to the area. The police said an emergency response team of Arca South and a rescue team of Barangay Western Bicutan tried to revive the victims.
The three children were brought to the Taguig Pateros District Hospital but were declared dead on arrival at about 1:40 p.m. by Dr. Jil Estrada.
In a statement, Taguig Mayor Lino Cayetano said, “The accident happened in a private property, in an open lot where there was a water hole.”
“This is a tragedy and we are heartbroken. This should not have happened. We have reached out to the families of these innocent young children. I have personally met with their mothers, and have assured them the City will continue to try to be a source of comfort for them during this difficult time,” he said.
The city government is coordinating with Arca South management, police, and barangay officials and has ordered an investigation on the matter.
“We will also engage the community to make sure minors are supervised when leaving the household. The area has been designated off-limits and has been cordoned off to the public,” said Cayetano.