A tragic swimming accident claimed the life of a young man in Negros Occidental on Monday afternoon, December 29, 2025. Rescue teams successfully retrieved the victim's body from a river in Hacienda Santol, Barangay Matab-ang, Talisay City.
Details of the Tragic Incident
According to official records from the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO), the victim was a 20-year-old resident of Purok Santo Domingo, Barangay Banago in Bacolod City. The incident occurred around 3:20 p.m. while he was swimming with friends in the area.
Initial investigation revealed that the young man stepped on a rock, lost his footing, and slipped into a deeper section of the river. A critical fact emerged: the victim did not know how to swim. This led to him struggling in the water and calling out for help.
Failed Rescue and Recovery Operation
One of his companions immediately attempted to rescue him but was unsuccessful. The victim submerged and disappeared from view before help could reach him. His friends quickly sought emergency assistance, triggering a search and rescue mission.
The recovery operation was conducted jointly by the Talisay City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) and personnel from the Philippine Coast Guard. Their teams worked to locate and retrieve the body from the river.
A Reminder of Water Safety
This unfortunate event highlights the persistent dangers associated with swimming in unsupervised natural bodies of water, especially for non-swimmers. It serves as a somber reminder for the public to exercise extreme caution, assess water depth and current, and ensure that swimming activities are supervised, particularly in unfamiliar river areas.
The local authorities have not released further details pending notification of the victim's family and the completion of their standard investigation procedures.
