A 55-year-old fisherman died after drowning when the hose of his compressor became entangled in the propeller of a motorbanca in the waters of Sitio Bislog, Barangay Poblacion, Madridejos town, on Wednesday dawn, June 10, 2026.
Police Major Jake Seares, chief of the Madridejos Municipal Police Station, identified the victim as Ferdinand Gidayawan Aropo, a resident of Purok Gimilina, Barangay Maalat in the same town.
Investigation revealed that around 8:00 PM on Tuesday, June 9, the victim set sail with his companions: Benjie Santillan, 40, a boat mechanic from Talangnan, Madridejos; Edwin Gilbuena Batindaan, 48, from Ticad, Bantayan; and Marjun Morales Damasio, 30, from Binasuerte, Kawayan, Masbate.
According to Police Major Seares, the group had already caught plenty of fish and filled their ice chest with various species before the tragedy occurred.
Upon reaching the waters of Sitio Bislog, the fishermen began diving to an estimated depth of 30 meters using a compressor to breathe underwater.
However, at around 3:00 AM, mechanic Benjie Santillan noticed that the hose used by Aropo had become tangled and wrapped around the propeller of the fishing boat. Santillan quickly signaled the three fishermen underwater by pulling on the rope tied to their waists.
Batindaan and Damasio immediately surfaced and climbed onto the motorbanca, but Aropo remained underwater. When they pulled the hose to rescue the victim at around 4:20 AM, they were devastated to find him already dead.
The victim's body was brought to the shore and temporarily placed in the hut of Arsenio Santillan in Sitio Chinese, Barangay Poblacion, before being reported to the police.
Dr. Honey Lee Sevillejo, Medical Officer of the Rural Health Unit (RHU) of Madridejos, examined Aropo's body and confirmed that drowning was the cause of death.
