An eight-year-old Grade 1 student drowned in a resort in Sitio Old Boso-Boso, Barangay San Jose, Antipolo City, on Wednesday, Nov. 5.
Based on the investigation of the Antipolo City Component Police Station (Antipolo CCPS), the victim, identified as “Zian,” met a puto vendor near the Shell Gas Station in Old Boso-Boso, where they were both selling at around 2 p.m., prior to the incident.
Authorities said the vendor, identified as “Kim,” 22, did not personally know the victim, but when he mentioned his plan to go swimming at a nearby resort, the boy said he wanted to join.
Kim said he initially declined, but the boy insisted, prompting him to allow the victim to accompany him.
Upon arrival at the resort, CCTV footage showed both of them swimming normally.
Because of the cold weather, Kim decided to just go home, so he went to the restroom to change clothes, assuming the boy would follow him.
However, Kim was unaware that the boy had returned alone to the swimming pool area. CCTV footage showed the victim diving into the deeper portion of the pool and failing to resurface.
The incident was discovered by resort personnel, who immediately conducted rescue efforts. The boy was later declared dead on arrival at the hospital.