5 drown on Holy Week

By Celso Amo LEGAZPI CITY --- Two persons drowned in Sorsogon and Camarines Sur on Easter Sunday. Ashley Atanacio y Beatriz, 12, a resident of Barangay Tacbong in Pili, Camarines Sur, drowned while swimming with her friend in Tikling Island Beach in Barangay Calintaan in Matnog, Sorsogon at about 8:00 a.m. of April 1, according to Senior Inspector Malou Calubaquib, Bicol PNP spokesperson. Calubaquib said the victim was swimming with her friend, Janine Kate Maclang, when they were suddenly swept by a big wave toward the deeper part of the seawater away from the shore. Atanacio was rushed to Matnog Medicare Hospital for emergency treatment but was pronounced dead on arrival by the attending physician. The victim’s companion survived after she was rescued. Matnog police conductd an investigation of the incident. Samuel Garcia y Callora, 27, went underwater while swimming with members of her family in the seawater of Barangay Manga in Sipocot, Camarines Sur at about 7:00 a.m., also on Easter Sunday. Calubaquib said the victim had a stainless implant on his leg and suffered cramps due to exposure to cold water. His brother tried at first to apply cardio-pulmonary resuscitation to revive the victim before rushing him to the Bicol Sanitarium Hospital in Barangay San Pedro in Cabusao, Camarines Sur but was declared dead on arrival. Earlier on Holy Thursday, Oscar Vargas, Jr. y Sato, 25, of Barangay Lupi in San Fernando, Camarines Sur drowned at about 1:30 p.m. while swimming in Tinambac, Camarines Sur with his brother in-law Mark Anthony Panton y Roslin and sister-in-law Anaby Baria y Gonzaga. Vargas suddenly experienced cold feet and was carried away by strong current. Ponton and Baria who also nearly drowned due to the strong current survived. Vargas was fished out of the water and rushed to Tinambac Infirmary but was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician. On Holy Monday, Jayhard De la Rosa y San Juan, 17, a Grade 11 student and resident of Barangay Napo in Pandan, Catanduanes also drowned while swimming with his friends Roiven Trinidad y Dela Rosa, 23, and Welming Escaro Jr. y Alberto, 18, both from Barangay Calatagan Tibang in Virac, Catanduanes at about 2:30 p.m. of that day. The three went near the diving board while De la Rosa who did not know how to swim stayed at a shallow portion of the seawater. But a strong current swept him and brought him farther out to sea. Trinidad saw De la Rosa calling for help as he bobbed up and down the water. The former swam towards his cousin who held unto him tight that he, too, almost drowned and lost grip of the victim. The victim’s body was eventually recovered with the help of bystanders. Ma. Joibeth Rima, an employee Twin Rock Beach Resort, tried to revive him as Red Cross responders arrived and brought him to the Eastern Bicol Medical Center in Virac, Catanduanes. The victim, however, did not make it to the hospital alive. Meanwhile, the body of a lifeless 7-year old boy was found drifting along Apad River in Ragay, Camarines Sur Tuesday (April 3) evening. The boy, identified only as Andre, was reported to have left his home to bathe in the rain but proceeded to go near the river at about 3:00 p.m. of that day. He went missing after that and was believed to have drowned on the deeper portion of the river.