BY MA. THERESA LADIAO
ILOILO – A 16-year-old boy, who was reported missing while swimming in the river in Barangay Caranas, Janiuay town, was found dead yesterday morning, October 22. His identity was confirmed by his mother.
According to Captain Hector Ayagan, chief of the Janiuay Municipal Police Station, the teenager’s body was discovered in the Tolarucan River.
Ayagan said on Sunday afternoon, October 20, the boy and six of his friends were drinking by the riverbank. At around 11:45 p.m., he was reported missing.
Police investigation revealed that after drinking, four of his friends headed home, while three, including the victim, stayed behind. The trio decided to swim, but the teen was advised not to continue as he was intoxicated.
Despite efforts from the Janiuay Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, which conducted a search and rescue operation late that evening, the boy was not found until the next morning./PN
