CAMP BGEN OSCAR FLORENDO, La Union (January 1, 2023) -- A toddler and three others died in separate drowning incidents in the past three days in La Union.
The latest drowning incident happened at about 1:10 on Sunday afternoon along Amburayan River at Sitio Pudoc, Barangay Consuegra, Bangar, La Union that resulted in the death of one Princess, 2, a resident of the same place.
Police said the victim was with her family that went to the river for a picnic and for celebration of New Year’s Day. While the family members were busy taking a bath, they did not notice that the victim was allegedly taken by water to the deep portion of the river and went missing.
Patrolman Roberto Peralta Jr., the duty officer of the Bangar police station, said that one of the family members recovered underwater the unconscious victim a few minutes after the incident.
The victim was taken to the Rural Health Unit but she was declared dead on arrival.
On Friday, three persons died in a drowning incident at the beach shore in Barangay Dalumpinas Oeste, San Fernando City, La Union.
Police identified the victims as Ian Christopher C. Atolba, 21, a resident of Imelda Village, Brookside, Baguio City; John Rey Sanggio, 21, a resident of Balili, La Trinidad, Benguet, and one Rogelio Bitayag, 19, a resident of Trading Post, Pico, La Trinidad, Benguet.
Investigation disclosed that the victims and their friends arrived at the beach shore for a birthday celebration.
The three victims went swimming in the deep portion of seawater but they were reportedly taken by the strong current.
One of the victims was rescued unconscious a few minutes after the incident but he was declared dead on arrival in the hospital.
The two other victims died and their bodies were recovered a few hours after the incident.