CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro — What was supposed to be a family celebration ended in tragedy after three children drowned while swimming in the coastal waters of Sitio Proper, Barangay Navotas, Calapan City, on Thursday afternoon, August 20.
The victims were two 6-year-olds and an 8-year-old, according to the Calapan City Police Station. They had been swimming with their parents and relatives during an advance birthday celebration when the incident occurred.
Authorities said that at around 5:30 p.m., a relative noticed the children struggling in the water and immediately called for assistance.
Rescuers, with assistance from the Calapan City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), conducted rescue and retrieval operations. The three children were brought to nearby hospitals but were declared dead on arrival by attending physicians.
The tragedy was also reported by ABS-CBN News and the Manila Bulletin, both of which confirmed that the children drowned while swimming in the Calapan coastal area. ABS-CBN likewise reported that a relative called for help after seeing the children struggling in the water.
Police investigation continues
Calapan City police said an investigation remains underway to establish the complete circumstances surrounding the drowning.
Police chief Lt. Col. Michael C. Caraggayan also appealed to the public to respect the grieving families and refrain from circulating photographs, videos or unverified accounts of the incident on social media.
Authorities reminded parents and guardians that children should be closely supervised whenever they are near the sea, rivers, swimming areas or other bodies of water.
Police also urged families to consider prevailing weather and water conditions before allowing children to swim.
Tragedy comes amid difficult weather conditions in Mindoro
The incident occurred as Oriental Mindoro has been dealing with the effects of the southwest monsoon, or Habagat, which has brought periods of heavy rain and flooding across the province in recent weeks.
The Philippine Information Agency earlier reported that flooding affected communities across MIMAROPA amid a strengthened Habagat, with government agencies activating emergency response operations.
The Philippine News Agency also reported that PAGASA had forecast rains over Oriental Mindoro during the ongoing Habagat period, with moderate to heavy rainfall potentially triggering flooding and landslides in affected areas.
Earlier in August, flooding had already affected numerous communities in Oriental Mindoro, including parts of Calapan City. Local disaster authorities urged residents in affected areas to remain alert and follow official safety advisories.
These broader weather conditions do not, however, establish that Habagat or weather directly caused Thursday’s drowning. Police have not publicly identified a specific cause of the children’s difficulty in the water, and the investigation remains ongoing.
A painful reminder on water safety
The Calapan incident underscores the dangers children can face around open water, particularly when several young children are swimming together.
Authorities are urging parents and guardians to maintain close, active supervision of children around beaches and other bodies of water and to check local weather and water conditions before swimming.
For the families of the three young victims, however, a simple family gathering has now become a heartbreaking loss.
Police appealed to the public to give the families privacy as they mourn and to avoid spreading unverified information about the tragedy.
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