Elderly man drowns while night fishing in Ambuklao River, Benguet

Bokod, Benguet - Authorities in Bokod, Benguet are reminding the public to be extra cautious when fishing, particularly at night, following an incident where an elderly man drowned while trying to catch fish in the Ambuklao River on the evening of March 12.

The victim, whose identity was withheld by the police, was a farmer and resident of Wakal, Nawal, Bokod.

According to DZWT 540 AM—Radyo Totoo, the victim was seen fishing alone in said river at the time of the incident.

Bokod Municipal Police Station said a witness narrated to them that he saw the victim in the river aboard a boat at around 7:00 p.m. However, after about thirty minutes, the victim was no longer there.

The witness went closer to the river to know what had happened to the old man. There, he saw the elderly lifeless in the river.

The witness promptly called for assistance from the locals, leading to a swift rescue operation.

Despite the immediate response to the incident, the victim was already dead when he was retrieved by the rescuers at around 8:45 p.m. that same evening.

At present, further investigations are underway to determine the cause of the victim’s drowning. His body was later brought to his residence for his wake.