A 15-year-old girl drowned at a resort in Barangay Bagasawe, Tuburan, Cebu on Saturday evening, July 4, 2026, turning a birthday celebration into tragedy.
Victim Identified
The victim was identified as Ashley Jane Tejarez Entero, a Grade 11 student at Ect Excellancia Global Academy Foundation Inc. - Tuburan Campus (EEGAFI). She was a resident of Barangay 8 in the same town.
According to Police Chief Master Sgt. Roberto Rondina of the Tuburan Police Station, the victim was with her parents and relatives at Villa Estrella Beach Resort to celebrate her cousin's birthday.
Incident Details
The resort's swimming pool had three levels. The victim and her relatives were swimming in the third level, which had an estimated depth of 3 to 4 feet.
While everyone was enjoying, 17-year-old Alexis Lape Sumulhig submerged and noticed a person lying face down and motionless at the bottom of the pool. Upon checking, he recognized it was the victim. He quickly shouted for help.
The victim's uncle, Juan Entero, immediately responded and pulled the girl out of the water. They attempted to revive her through cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) while waiting for the Tuburan Emergency Responders, with assistance from lifeguard Juviel Pesiao Cataliwalaan.
Hospital Declaration
The victim was rushed to Tuburan District Hospital, where Dr. Lara Alexis Lucin and the staff performed all possible measures to save her life, but she was declared dead on arrival (DOA).
The victim's mother told authorities that during the incident, she was in a rented cottage and only learned about it when her daughter was already being rescued. It was also reported that the girl did not know how to swim.
Family Declines Autopsy
Although police recommended an autopsy on the victim's body, the family refused and instead signed a waiver.
