A 71-year-old man died after reportedly drowning while swimming in the sea at Sityo San Juan, Barangay Inayagan, Naga City, on June 1, 2026, at around 6:00 AM.
The victim was identified as Victor Binauro, married, a resident of Purok Tower, Upper Bayong, Barangay Inayagan in the said city.
After receiving a report from South General Hospital about a drowning patient, the Naga City Police Station immediately conducted an investigation. Initial investigation revealed that Binauro was swimming in the sea with an estimated depth of about three feet. According to the statement of alias Christian, one of the witnesses, they noticed the elderly man's head repeatedly bobbing in the water. A few minutes later, Binauro reportedly grabbed the foot of Christian's 7-year-old child, causing the child to call for help, and they quickly approached the elderly man.
Binauro was rushed to the hospital but was declared dead on arrival by attending physician Dr. Ian Klint Rallano.
Police found no signs of foul play and believe the victim may have experienced a medical complication before drowning, based on their initial assessment.
However, during an interview with the victim's children on June 3, they suspected possible foul play involved in the incident.
Alias Garry, one of the victim's children, said he is determined to request further investigation to fully determine the truth about his father's death. He stated that his father knew how to swim well and it is hard to believe he would drown in shallow water, especially since the water was reportedly only knee-deep at that time.
The family also learned that Binauro went to the sea alone. According to their information, a family witnessed the incident. It was said that when Binauro grabbed the child's foot, the child's father approached him and allegedly shoved the senior citizen, which may have caused him to drown. Authorities continue their investigation to ascertain all circumstances related to Binauro's death.
