ORMOC CITY— A five-year-old girl died after drowning in a swimming pool at a beach resort in Barangay Catmon, Naval, Biliran on Sunday, April 12, authorities said.
The victim, identified only as alias “Jen,” a resident of Naval, was found unconscious at the pool of Chamorita Beach Resort and was later declared dead on arrival at the Biliran Provincial Hospital.
Police said they received a report of the incident at around 3:30 p.m. and immediately responded to the scene. Initial investigation, however, showed that the drowning occurred earlier at around 10:45 a.m.
Investigators said the child was part of a group of 13 individuals—four adults and nine minors—who entered the pool area earlier that morning. The resort caretaker had reportedly warned the group, particularly the parents, to closely watch the children due to the pool’s deep portion.
Despite the warning, authorities said the child was later reported missing while the adults were preoccupied inside the pool area.
A search was conducted by the group but yielded no result until another group of swimmers arrived. One of the children accidentally stepped on something at the bottom of the pool, prompting the caretaker to check and eventually discover the victim lying face down and unresponsive.
The caretaker immediately pulled the child out of the water while a nurse at the scene attempted to revive her, but efforts were unsuccessful. The Naval Rescue Unit later transported the victim to the hospital, where she was declared dead.
Police continue to investigate the incident and reiterated the importance of close adult supervision of children, especially in swimming areas with varying depths.
(ROBERT DEJON)
