3 kids drown in Davao City

Three minors died of drowning in the town of Agdao, Davao City. 

An initial investigation showed the victims — aged 7,4, and 7 — were last seen playing along the shorelines of North San Juan in Barangay Centro on Saturday afternoon. However, their parents noticed they failed to come home, prompting them to report that the minor victims were missing.

Their bodies were recovered from the sea after a four-hour search and rescue operations. 

“Hindi nila namalayan na matagal na sila sa dagat at nagka-high tide na. Pinilit nila siguro na makabalik sa dalampasigan kasi hapon na. Pero hindi nila namalayan na malalim na pala ang tubig,” said Barangay chairperson Rene Estorpe in GMA Regional TV One Mindanao’s Kent Abrigana’s “24 Oras” report on Tuesday. 

(Maybe, they did not notice that it was high tide already. They may have tried to return to the shore but they did not expect the depth of the waters.)

Jomar Generoso, one of the victims' father, shed tears as he apologized to his seven-year-old child. 

“Humihingi ako ng kapatawaran sa iyo anak dahil hindi kita nailigtas sa pagkalunod,” Generoso said. 

(My child, I am sorry I wasn’t able to save you.)

Likewise, Leonor Jarique went emotional as she remembered her seven-year-old grandchild.

 “Hindi ko kaya ang nangyari sa kanya. Bata pa kasi siya at dito pa siya sa amin nakatira. Ang kanyang ina nasa ospital kaya sa amin siya iniwan,” Jarique said. 

(He’s too young. He grew up with us because his mother is in the hospital.)

The victims will be laid to rest next week. —Sundy Locus/LDF, GMA Integrated News