3 kids drown in Navotas, Malabon

MANILA, Philippines - Three children drowned in separate incidents near a pumping station in Navotas City and in a river in Malabon City Friday afternoon.

The bodies of four-year-old John Mark Pacampara and Maricel Marcelino, five, were separately discovered floating in Muzon River in Malabon, Police Officer 2 Romirosa Mallari said.

The two children were seen looking for recyclable materials at around noon Friday. Pacampara’s body was found at around 6 p.m., after which an operation was conducted to look for Marcelino, Mallari said.

Marcelino’s body was discovered floating in the river by the rescue team at around 10 p.m. Police are conducting follow-up investigation to determine what happened to the children.

Meanwhile, five-year-old Danrei Cruz was declared dead on arrival at the Pagamutang Bayan ng Malabon, where he was brought after he was found floating near a pumping station in Bagumbayan South in Navotas City at around 2 p.m.

According to initial investigation results, Cruz had gone out of their house and went to the pumping station to urinate. PO3 Ronie Garan said the victim may have accidentally slipped and fell into the water.