4 children, grandpa drown in Davao City

Four children and their grandfather died after the boat (dugout canoe) they were riding capsized in a river in Davao City last weekend.

Relatives said strong river currents cause the banca to capsize, GMA Davao's John Paul Seniel reported Monday on GMA News TV's "Balita Pilipinas Ngayon."



Killed were Justin Intod, 3; Maureen Intod, 5; Carl Vincent, 6; Rafael John Oros, 3; and their 62-year-old grandfather.

"Pumunta kami sa graduation, pag-uwi ko wala na ang mga anak ko. Sinabay nila (lolo at isang bata), naligo sila," said Noemi Intod, mother of three of the fatalities.

"Malakas kasi ang agos ng tubig. Nagkatubig sa loob ng bangka, tapos bigla na lang tumaob," said a relative.

But police are not discounting the possibility that the banca may have capsized because it was overloaded, it encountered strong currents, or the one rowing the boat may have been drunk. — Joel Locsin/LBG, GMA News