A five-year-old boy drowned in the Iloilo River.

He was identified as John Weak, described by his family to be joyful and bubbly.

The incident happened at a portion of the river in Barangay Lapuz Norte, Lapuz, Iloilo City on February 16, 2026.

John Weak was with two cousins swimming in the river. A cousin tried reportedly to rescue him, but he sunk fast. 

Personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard responded immediately at the scene and retrieved the boy’s body.

“Nagkayayaan sila ng dalawa niyang mga pinsan na maligo doon sa roro (roll-on, roll-off) wharf, doon sa rampa ng roro sa daungan. Lumakas ang alon at natangay siya,” according to Captain Tonigrace Troncoso, chief of Iloilo City Police Station 8.

According to John Weak's father, Elmer, he does not allow the boy to go out of the house without a companion. The boy was always with his mother. However, the mother went out on a medical check-up that day and that he was at work when the incident happened.

“Pagkagaling ko sa bodega, sinundo ako ng anak kong si Junior. Wala na akong maraming tanong, tumalon ako sa dagat at sumisid. Kaso hindi ko nakita kaya humingi ako ng rescue sa Coast Guard,” Elmer Biñas, the father, said.

The sight of children swimming in the area is common. The children are being warned repeatedly by barangay workers and members of the Coast Guard, but the children do not heed.

“Mga barangay officials at mga residente, magtulungan sana na pagbawalan ang mga bata na maligo,” Troncoso said.

Following the incident, the barangay has mulled on a swimming ban, particularly on the portion of the river in Lapuz Norte.

“Kailangan ng ordinansa ng barangay upang ipagbawal talaga,” Barangay Lapuz Norte Councilman Johnny Gonzaga Jarobel said.