Elected SK chief drowns

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines – A newly sworn-in Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) chairman drowned while taking his friends and supporters to a blowout in a coastal village in Pandan, Catanduanes last Sunday, authorities said.

Superintendent Lito Petallano, Catanduanes police director, identified the victim as John Marco Vicena, 17, SK chairman of Barangay Sagrada in Pandan town.

Police said Vicena had had a drinking spree with his companions before he went swimming. His body was found an hour later some 200 meters away from the shoreline.

Probers quoted Vicena’s friends as saying that the SK chairman could hardly swim as he had just learned swimming only a week ago.

Vicena was supposed to assume office as SK chairman tomorrow.