KAPANGAN, Benguet March 23 – A 13-year old Grade 7 pupil of a public school died after he reportedly drowned in a portion of the Amburayan river when he and his friends went swimming after dismissal from their classes at Taba-ao here Wednesday.
Senior Superintendent Florante Camuyo, officer-in-charge of the Benguet Provincial Police Office, identified the victim as Alexander Quirino Bayating, 13, grade VII student, and a resident of Boklaoan, Kapangan, Benguet.
Initial police investigation showed that Mrs. Cherelene A. Comom, School Principal of Governor Bado Dangwa Agro-Industrial School (GBDAIS) Extension, Taba-ao, Kapangan, Benguet informed the local police force that one of their students drowned in the Amburayan river when they went swimming.
The victim, together with his friends, reportedly decided to go swimming in the area after their classes and while they were in the river, his two companions noticed that he allegedly disappeared from their sight.
The victim’s companions immediately sought the assistance of those having picnic in the area and were able to recover the victim from the rampaging waters of the river.
He was immediately rushed to the Kapangan Medicare Community Hospital for medical treatment but he was declared dead on arrival by attending physicians.
By Dexter A. See