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Emmanuel Tupas - The Philippine Star
April 20, 2025 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — A total of 15 people across the country died due to drowning during the Holy Week, the Philippine National Police reported.
According to PNP data, 18 cases of drowning were documented since April 16, leading to the 15 fatalities, two injured and one unharmed.
Of the victims, nine are adults while the rest are minors.
Among the dead is Shermaine, a nine-year-old grade 3 student who drowned in Naic, Cavite on Wednesday.
The girl was swimming at the Blue Lagoon Prinsa River in Brgy. Malainen Luma together with relatives when she was swept into deeper waters at around 6 p.m., the Calabarzon police said.
She was brought to a hospital for medical treatment but physicians pronounced her dead upon arrival.
Meanwhile, a four-year-old boy whom police identified only as Zash drowned at a private resort in Brgy. Poblacion in San Nicolas, Batangas on Friday night.
The boy was swimming in a pool when he drowned at around 7 p.m. and was pronounced dead at a hospital.
Central Luzon and Calabarzon registered four drowning incidents each, followed by Bicol with three incidents. The rest of the cases were scattered across the country.
Ilocos region
On Good Friday, two people died in separate drowning incidents in Malasiqui and Aguilar towns in Pangasinan.
According to the Pangasinan police provincial office, the victims were Salvador Frias Jr., 48, of Brgy. Cabatling, Malasiqui and a 17-year-old boy from Bayambang town who drowned in Aguilar.
Initial investigation revealed that Frias went to the Embarcadero River in their village to catch fish after a drinking spree with his friends.
After failing to return home, his younger brother searched for him and discovered him floating on the said river.
First responders rushed Frias to a hospital where he was declared dead on arrival.
Meanwhile, the teenage victim drowned at the Maples River in Brgy. Bayaoas, Aguilar town Friday afternoon.
According to the police, the victim, who was with his two friends, attempted to swim across the deeper portion of the river despite not knowing how to swim.
Rescuers tried to revive the victim before rushing him to the Mangatarem District Hospital where he was declared dead on arrival.
Cordillera
A fatal drowning incident on Maundy Thursday prompted barangay officials in Tadiangan, Tuba, Benguet, together with the Tuba PNP, to temporarily shut down the Kagaling River at Sitio Hydro #2 to non-residents.
The unnamed male victim was declared dead on arrival at a hospital in Baguio City after he was retrieved at Hydro #4 River at Sitio Hydro 4, Brgy. Nangalisan, Tuba, Benguet.
To prevent further untoward incidents, the river was closed Friday afternoon until this afternoon (Sunday).
The Tuba police warned residents and visitors to exercise extreme caution when visiting rivers, hydro areas and other bodies of water.
Safety urged
In the wake of the drowning incidents, PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil urged people, particularly parents, to be vigilant and to always guard their children when going swimming.
“These heartbreaking incidents are a painful reminder of how quickly accidents can happen. I am appealing to everyone, never leave minors unattended near water,” he said in a statement.
If possible, Marbil said people should wear life vests and avoid swimming in areas without lifeguards or safety supervision. — Cesar Ramirez, Art Dumlao
