By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Six drowning incidents were recorded across Western Visayas during the feast day of St. John the Baptist, or locally known as “San Juan” on Saturday, June 24.

Coast Guard District-Western Visayas spokesperson, Commander Jansen Benjamin, said Iloilo province recorded two drowning incidents, while Aklan, Negros Occidental, Capiz, and Guimaras logged one each.

In Negros Occidental, 28-year-old Joseph Ragasa was drowned to his death while swimming in a river in E.B. Magalona’s Barangay Alicante.

In neighboring Iloilo province, authorities identified the drowning victims as 65-year-old Rolando Arias Tañada of Tigbauan town’s Barangay Namocon; and 30-year-old Freddie Divinagracia of Anilao town’s Barangay Pantalan.

Matilde Delfin, 57 years old, was drowned at the beach in Aklan province’s New Washington town.

According to authorities, rescuers rushed Delfin to a local hospital but she was dead on arrival.

Meanwhile, in Guimaras’ Nueva Valencia town, 40-year-old Jomar Soriano was found lifeless by rescuers in Barangay Poblacion’s Sitio Talisay.

Soriano suffered muscle cramps which caused his drowning.

In Capiz province’s Pilar town, authorities also recovered the body of Joemar Ocayo, after he reportedly jumped off the boat.

It took two hours before authorities were able to recover his remains./DGB, WDJ