A SIX-YEAR-OLD girl drowned in a river in Sitio Burlas, Barangay Lagtang, Talisay City around 9 a.m. on Tuesday, August 8, 2023.
The victim was identified as Irish Mitch Juezan Barral.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Randy Caballes, chief of the Talisay City Police Station, said he received information that the victim was swimming with her fellow children in the area when she drowned after going into a portion of the river that had reportedly become deeper due to ongoing quarrying operations allegedly carried out by the QM Builders.
According to reports, the victim did not know how to swim.
She was being looked over by her older sibling, who is also a minor, but was unable to save her.
The victim was submerged into the water and did not surface, as observed by her swimming companions.
The adults quickly jumped into the river, but were unable to locate the victim because of the murky water.
A short while later, the child was discovered unconscious.
She was taken to the Talisay City District Hospital, where attending physician proclaimed her dead.
No foul play was discovered by the Talisay City police in the victim's death.
The victim was one of the 11 children of Jonalyn Barral, who claimed she was unaware that Irish had gone swimming.
Jonalyn blamed the QM Builders for the mishap.
She, however, chose not to lodge a complaint against the company.
"Ang amo lang unta sir ba nga nakahibawo naman gyud sila nga delikado unadongon nanang cigeg kabkab kay ang sapa layo ra gyud unta na sa balay sir karon duol na kaayo," Jonalyn said.
(Now that they are aware of the threat, they should have already halted quarrying because the digging is bringing the river closer to our home).(AYB, TPT)