ORMOC CITY — A 49-year-old farmer was declared dead after he reportedly drowned while swimming off the coastal waters of Barangay Himbangan in Saint Bernard, Southern Leyte, at around 12:15 p.m. on Monday, June 29.
Police identified the victim only by the alias “Alie,” a married farmer and resident of Saint Bernard.
According to a report from the Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8), the Saint Bernard Municipal Police Station received information from the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) regarding a reported drowning incident in Barangay Himbangan. Responding officers immediately proceeded to the area to verify the report and conduct an investigation.
Upon arrival, police learned that the victim had already been transported by the MDRRMO rescue team to the Rural Health Unit (RHU).
Initial investigation revealed that the victim was swimming with companions when he reportedly told them, “Muadto ko sa gakit” (“I will swim to the raft”), according to a witness identified only by the alias “Frey.” Moments later, the group noticed that the victim was no longer in sight.
His companions immediately sought assistance from nearby boat operators and residents, prompting a search and retrieval operation.
The victim was eventually recovered from the water, and the MDRRMO rescue team rushed him to the Saint Bernard RHU. However, Rural Health Physician Dr. Karen Villanueva Adaro declared him dead on arrival, with drowning identified as the cause of death.
Police continue to document the incident as part of their standard investigation.
(ROBERT DEJON)
