Girl killed in playground mishap

A fourth-grader died while playing with schoolmates on a swing at a school in Malabon, police said yesterday.

Inspector Greg Catacutan identified the victim as Liezl Angela Santiago, 10, a pupil at the Arellano University in Barangay Concepcion.

PO2 Jorge de la Cruz said initial investigation showed that Santiago and her schoolmates were playing on a swing at around 9:55 a.m. when the frame holding the swing apparently became unstable and toppled.

The girl fell to the ground, followed by the swing bar that landed on her head. School officials took the injured girl to the Pagamutang Bayan ng Malabon but she was declared dead on arrival.

Santiago’s mother, Laila, has requested an autopsy of her daughter’s body to determine the real cause of death. The victim’s body was taken to the Philippine National Police Crime Laboratory.

Unnamed school officials promised police they will cooperate in the investigation. – Jerry Botial