7 Iloilo boy scouts drown

ILOILO CITY — Seven boy scouts aged 11 to 14 drowned during a jamboree in San Joaquin, Iloilo yesterday morning.

The victims, identified as Neriden Barsinas, Jerry Semic, George Selebio Jr., Sydney Philip Mocas and Alberto Cordero, all 14; John Francis Marcon, 12; and Christian Moniva, 11, were declared dead on arrival at the Guimbal District Hospital. Another boy scout survived the tragedy.

Authorities said the group went swimming in the beach near their campsite at about 8:30 a.m., while their fellow boy scouts watched a bullfight.

Adolf Jaen, head of the Boy Scout Council of Iloilo, said the victims insisted on swimming since it was the last day of the jamboree, the first-ever held by the council.