Teen electrocuted while painting ex-cop’s house

CEBU, Philippines - A teenager died after he was electrocuted while painting the house of a retired policeman at New Imus Road, Barangay Lorega, Cebu City last Saturday afternoon.

Kent “Kentoy” Alburo, 19, who worked as a house painter, accidentally touched a galvanized pipe with a live wire inside it and got electrocuted.

Senior Police Officer 1 Wetzel Berry of the Homicide Section of the Cebu City Police Office said Alburo, a resident of San Fernando, Cebu, was hired by Felipe Sosmeña, a 50-year-old retired policeman, to paint his newly-built house.

Sosmeña’s house was reportedly among those razed by fire a few months ago.

Alburo’s co-worker, 14-year-old Miles Loquez, told police that they were working at the third floor of the house when Alburo stepped on the railing at the veranda barefooted to paint the ceiling.

Alburo was reportedly already painting when he accidentally touched the galvanized pipe mounted at a firewall beside him. The live wire inside the pipe was allegedly connected to a Visayan Electric Company (VECO) post.

After getting electrocuted, Alburo almost fell to the ground but was grabbed by his co-worker.

 The victim was immediately brought to the Cebu City Medical Center but was declared dead on arrival.

According to the doctor, it was Alburo’s heart that was seriously affected by the electric current, resulting to his immediate death.

“Kung nasamad pa ‘to siya, nakagawas ang kuryente, naa’y purohan nga mabuhi pa siya. Unya wa man nakagawas gud, didto man kuno nipunta sa kasingkasing,” said Berry.

He said they will try to talk with VECO as well as the owner of the house about the alleged live wire coming from the post.

 “Wala man pud g’yud kuno kahibawo siya (Sosmeña) nga live wire diay ‘to,” said Berry.

Sosmeña is ready to extend help to Alburo’s family, especially for the victim’s burial, said Berry.  (FREEMAN)