By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

A vacationer was declared dead-on-arrival at the hospital after he drowned at the Lakawon island resort, part of Cadiz City, Negros Occidental, on Saturday, February 5.

Authorities identified the fatality as John Louie Espida, a resident of Libertad in Bacolod City.

Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Northern Negros Occidental station commander Joe Luviz Mercurio said, based on investigation carried out by the PCG sub-station in Lakawon island, Espida was found floating near a motor banca by the resort’s lifeguards.

The lifeguards and other first responders tried to revive Espida and transported him to the Cadiz District Hospital, but he was declared dead-on-arrival by hospital staff.

Mercurio said personnel from the PCG sub-station Lakawon interviewed the victim’s friends and it was discovered that Espida was inebriated at the time of his drowning.

His friends also commented that he doesn’t know how to swim.

Mercurio added Espida’s remains have since been turned over to his family./DGB, WDJ