Student drowns in Loboc River

LOBOC, BOHOL , Philippines — A female first year high school student drowned on Thursday while crossing the Loboc River aboard a banca and her floating body was recovered by rescuers yesterday, said a police report.

The victim, Maricris Lawas Mandin, was with her two brothers and other students on their way home to barangay Ugpong when the overloaded banca they were paddling capsized.

The report added that the dead body of Mandin was found floating at a mangrove and water lily area near the river bank at Ugpong. Doctor Dulce Cenita confirmed the student died from drowning.

Investigation showed the banca was overloaded and its operator voluntarily surrendered to the police. (FREEMAN)