BACOLOD CITY - Two persons drowned, while five others were rescued, in separate incidents in Negros Occidental during the celebration of New Year’s Day on Friday.
In Himamaylan City, Junjun Solomon, 22, died after he drowned in a beach resort in Barangay Talaban.
Lt. Alfred Mansoy, deputy police chief of Himamaylan City Police Station, said Solomon was at a family outing when the tragedy happened.
He went swimming alone after having a drinking session with his family, when he was found floating in the sea, Mansoy said.
He was rushed to the Governor Valeriano M. Gatuslao Memorial District Hospital, but was declared dead on arrival.
Mansoy said another drowning incident was reported in Barangay Saraet. The victim was also having a family outing when he, too, went for a swim. He survived after he was rescued.
In Hinoba-an town, a boy died, while his two brothers were rescued, after they ventured into the deep portion of the waters off Purok 4, Barangay Asia.
Police identified the fatality as Justine De Leon, 8.
According to Lt. Chrysler John Ledesma, deputy police chief of Hinoba-an Municipal Police Station, the three brothers and their father went for a swim at around 7 a.m. to welcome the New Year.
However, the three children went too far into the deep part of the sea, prompting their father to rescue them.
The father was able to get to the two children first, but had a hard time finding Justine.
After he was found, Justine was brought to the hospital where he was declared dead.
Meanwhile, Cmndr. Ludovico Librilla Jr., head of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)-Negros Occidental, said that two other persons were rescued after they were swept by strong current of water, also in Hinoba-an.
The victims were spotted 150 meters away from the beach where they drifted due to the strong current.
Rescue operation was immediately conducted and the victims were brought to safer grounds.