3 drowning incidents logged in Cagayan during the Holy Week; One victim jumped into river to drown

Cagayan, Philippines – Drowning has long been identified as the leading cause of tragedies in the Philippines during the Holy Week season, and this year is no different, as authorities monitored 64 drowning cases.  

Three of these 64 incidents happened in the Province of Cagayan, which recorded separate cases on April 18 and 19, during Good Friday and Black Saturday.

Investigation done by the Cagayan Police Provincial Office revealed that the first incident involved a 57-year-old farmer from Tuao town. The man was first seen downhearted and was described to be drunk on April 18 before he jumped into the river, even though he did not know how to swim.

Rescuers were able to get the man out of the water. However, he was declared dead on arrival at the hospital. The case was categorized by the police as ‘suicide by drowning’. 

In another town on the same day, rescue teams were deployed to look for an 8-year-old who drowned after following his father, who went to the river in Barangay Dodan, Peñablanca. It took the authorities 12 hours to find the boy in the water. Unfortunately, he was declared dead at a medical facility.

The following day, April 19, a 27-year-old man was out swimming with his friends at the Tangatan River in Santa Ana when he attempted to cross the river to get to the other bank, causing him to drown in the process.

The man who was described as having drunk alcohol before swimming was pronounced dead at a hospital.

The Cagayan PPO, who condoled with the family of the 3 drowning victims, reminds the public to remain responsible, cautious, and alert when going for a swim to prevent any untoward incidents. They also asked the people to avoid taking alcoholic beverages when going into the water.