ILOILO City — A five-year-old boy drowned at Lapuz Wharf in Barangay Lapuz Norte, Lapuz district on the afternoon of February 16.
The victim, identified by the alias “Janjan,” was reportedly playing with friends at the wharf around 5 p.m. when the incident occurred.
According to Ensg. El John Ga, spokesperson for the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)-Iloilo Station, initial investigations suggest the boy jumped into the water intending to swim but was quickly overwhelmed by the depth.
Two other children, aged seven and eight, witnessed the struggle and attempted to save the victim. However, they were unable to reach him due to the water’s depth and strong current.
Upon receiving the report, PCG personnel and local residents launched an immediate search and rescue operation. Janjan was later recovered and rushed to a nearby hospital, but the attending physician pronounced him dead on arrival.
Further investigation revealed that the children were unsupervised at the time. Janjan’s parents told the PCG they were unaware their son had gone near the water.
In response to the tragedy, Ga reiterated that swimming is strictly prohibited at Lapuz Wharf and along the Iloilo River. Despite visible warnings and existing regulations, he noted that many individuals continue to ignore these safety protocols.
To prevent future loss of life, the PCG is collaborating with barangay officials to enhance monitoring efforts and raise community awareness.
The PCG-Iloilo Station strongly urges the public to respect safety advisories and reminds parents to maintain vigilant supervision of their children./PN
