USPF stude drowns in unsanctioned trip

CEBU, Philippines - A 17-year-old football player of a Cebu university drowned in a supposedly team-building activity in Kabang Waterfalls, Barangay Budlaan in Cebu City the other day.

Marjoe Villariza Edquila, a Business Management freshman of the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF), was declared dead on arrival by attending physicians at the North General hospital.

A native of Cagayan de Oro City, Edquila temporarily resided in Banawa, Barangay Gudalupe, Cebu City.

The police said Edquila was with three football teammates taking a dip in Kabang Falls after a short hike when the incident happened.

Initial police investigation showed that while the rest of the team were taking a nap, Edquila and his three teammates went swimming at the falls around 11 a.m. even though they were warned not to because they do not know how to swim.

Several minutes after, Edquila’s companions began shouting for help because he had stayed submerged for quite a time already.  The other players tried to look for Edquila but could not see him despite going underwater.

Edquila’s body was retrieved past 6 p.m. and was immediately brought to the North General Hospital.

A team of Homicide Section investigators led by SPO4 Rey Cuyos managed to contact Edquila’s relatives in Cebu to inform them about what happened.

Cuyos said they are still waiting for the relatives on what legal action they would take in relation to Edquila’s death.

“Magpaabot pa ta sa relatives sa biktima kun unsa ilang desisyon (We await the relatives’ decision),” said Cuyos.

He said they are looking at the liability of the coach and the assistant coach and even that of the school.

In a telephone interview, however, USPF president Alicia Cabatingan said the team-building activity was not sanctioned by the school.

She said they only knew of the activity after learning of the accident yesterday morning.

“Wala gyod mi kabalo sa ilang (We do not know about the) team building. Bisan (Even just a) pending permit para sa ilang lakaw wala gyud (for their trip they do not have),” Cabatingan said.

Cabatingan said that coaches Eleazar Toledo and Jonard Fuentes went on their own without asking permission or informing the school administration.

She said that Toledo admitted doing so when she talked to him.

Because of what happened, the Cebu City Risk Reduction and Management Office (CCDRRMO) will conduct a survey of the place today.

Alvin Santillana, CCDRRMO chief operations officer, said Edquila drowned after one of his legs got lodged between two rocks.

Acting Mayor Edgardo Labella said the city is willing to help the victim.

Yesterday, City Councilor Dave Tumulak, CCDRRMO head, also said they placed life jackets in the area to help rescuers just in case another accident happens.

He said the barangay will create its own rescue team and install a signage in the area, while Santillana suggested the provision of life rings with ropes. (FREEMAN)