City's water tank drowns, kills boy

CEBU, Philippines - A six-year-old boy died after he fell and drowned into a seven-foot deep abandoned water tank owned by the Danao City government in Sitio Tuburan, Barangay Tabok, Danao City Thursday evening.

The body of Mark Batulan, grade one pupil, was discovered by his relative 11 a.m. yesterday floating inside the city's Pump 2 Water Supply.

Investigator PO1 Joseph Alidon said Mark was last seen by his father Juliano sitting at the edge of the water tank around 5 p.m. Thursday.  Juliano that time was about to transport his elder son to work.

Alidon said that Juliano arrived home an hour later and had no longer seen Mark around. It was at this juncture when the family started to search the boy around.

"Nangita na sila sa bata, hangtud anang alas-otso sa gabii nakadesisyon na sila nga i-blotter na lang nga missing na," the investigator said.

Juliano tried to look for Mark at the water tank but did not see the body until yesterday morning when Jesus, a relative, noticed the body floating in the water tank.

"Mao pa tingali paglutaw sa lawas atong mga orasa,"Alidon said in a phone interview.

SPO1 Bryan Batiquin, responding officer, also said the water tank had three holes on top that were not safely covered.

He added the tank was abandoned years ago after residents complained of diarrhea, as well as of the noticeable salty taste of the water during high tides.

"Mao gyud nay ga-supply og tubig unya katunggan man na sa una hangtud niparat na ang tubig gikan diha unya karon baho na kaayo nang ilawom kay wa nay atiman," Batiquin said. (FREEMAN)