By CESAR JOLITO III

A 51-year-old man was declared dead on arrival at a local infirmary after he was found floating in a river at Barangay Bi-ao in Negros Occidental’s Binalbagan town on Sunday afternoon, May 31.

Police identified the victim only by his alias “Mark,” a resident of the barangay.

Binalbagan police said village authorities reported the incident at around 5:00 p.m. after the victim was recovered from a river in Sitio Golingan and rushed to the Binalbagan Infirmary.

Responding police officers proceeded to the infirmary where they confirmed the victim’s death.

Initial investigation revealed that several individuals were conducting electrofishing activities along the river when they spotted the victim’s body floating in the water.

One of the witnesses approached and found the man unresponsive.

Information gathered from the victim’s family indicated that he had a history of epilepsy.

Investigators believe the victim may have suffered an epileptic seizure while bathing in the river, causing him to lose consciousness and drown.

The victim was immediately brought to the Binalbagan infirmary for medical attention but was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.

Police said no signs of foul play were initially observed, and the incident is being treated as a drowning case pending further investigation./CCJ, WDJ