Man, 4 kids drown after boat capsized
By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.
A 63-year-old man and his four young grandchildren drowned when their small banca capsized off Bangkal, Davao City on Friday afternoon.
Talomo Police Station identified the victims as Antonio Echaves, 63; Carl Vincent Intod, 6; Moreen Intod, 5; Justin Intod, 3; and Rafael Uros, 3, all from Muslim Village in Bangkal.
In an interview, Talomo Police Station commander Chief Inspector Alfredo Santillana told Edge Davao that the incident happened at around 4 p.m. on March 27.
Santillana said the victims and five other children rode a small banca from their place in Muslim Village to Matina Aplaya where they were going for a swim.
Santillana said the boat capsized off Bangkal due to strong waves.
He said Echavez tried to save the four younger children who did not know how to swim, but they all ended up drowning.
The five other children, who were aged 9 and 10 years old, were able to swim to safety.
Following the incident, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Davao Station commander Lieutenant Commander Dann August Cariño reminded the public to be more careful in traveling by water, especially during the Holy Week when more people are expected to travel by boat. With a report from Cheneen R. Capon
