Man drowns in Hilotongan Island

A manager of a bank in Cebu City who went swimming with his staff reportedly drowned in Hilotongan Island, Cordova town yesterday noon.

Harry U. Uy, 38, married, manager of China Trust Bank - Cebu City branch, and a resident of Maryville Subdivision, Talamban, Cebu City was found by his companions floating unconscious.

SPO1 Leovero Augusto, desk officer of Cordova Police Station, said that the Lapu-Lapu City police, led by PO3 Manolito Abellanosa, were the first to respond to the incident.

Augusto said that initial investigation revealed that at around 8 a.m. yesterday Uy, along with more or less 20 other companions, mostly employees of the said bank, arrived at Queensland Beach, Punta Engaño, Lapu-Lapu City and rented a motor boat going to Hilotongan Island, Cordova town. The group then went snorkeling in waist deep water.

However, two of Uy's companions, Richard Lim and Suzette Reroma, who were near Uy at that time, noticed something unusual about their boss. They touched him and found out that he was unconscious.

Boat operator Elpedio Apostol immediately brought Uy to barangay Marigondon in Lapu-Lapu City and was then rushed by Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation personnel to the Mactan Doctors Hospital. Uy, was however, declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.

Augusto said they are still conducting a followup investigation on the incident and are also waiting for the results of the autopsy to determine the cause of death. - Norvie S. Misa, Correspondent