Two persons died in separate drowning incidents in Panglao and Tagbilaran City on Sunday.
The fatalities were identified as Abdul Wallace, 39, son of Vicky Wallace, proprietor of the Bohol Bee Farm and Aleksei Gribanov, 55, a Russian national temporarily residing in Tagbilaran City.
According to Master Sgt. Renante Foculan of the Panglao Police Station, Wallace was spearfishing in waters off the Virgin Island in Barangay Poblacion, Panglao on Sunday morning.
Wallace, who was without breathing apparatus, was believed to have been trying to reach the surface when he drowned.
Police said Wallace and his companion reached deep waters using a pumpboat prior to the incident.
“Matud sa kauban na posibli naka pana siya [Wallace] og isda unya iya sigurong gigukod aron makuha pero nahutdan ni siya og hangin pasaka kay based sa regulator sa iyahang relo, nisaka pa kuno ni pero na short lang g’yud siya og ginhawa,” said Foculan.
Wallace’s companion pulled the rope which was attached to the victim’s spear. However, Wallace still did not surface prompting his companion to ask for assistance from village watchmen (barangay tanod).
Authorities then sought the assistance of divers who found Wallace’s remains after two hours some 28 meters underwater.
Foculan said there were no indications of foul play behind Wallace’s death.
He added that Wallace regularly spearfished on Sundays.
Several netizens have expressed grief over Wallace’s sudden passing, which became a “popular” topic on Facebook according to the social media platform.
“Dili ko maka tuo wala naka Dul. Ga kita pa gani ta ninyo Chanchan last week… You’ve always been a good and humble soul…. RIP Dul…,” said Inabanga Mayor Jono Jumamoy.
“Your Legacy lives on in the lives you touched. Rest in peace doi Abdul Wallace your memory will forever be a blessing,” said Alvs Mendoza.
Meanwhile, the remains of Gribanov were found along the shore in Barangay Mansasa in Tagbilaran City at past 10 a.m. on the same day.
According to Lt. Col. John Kareen Escober, chief of the Tagbilaran City Police Station, Gribanov had not returned home for four days prior to the discovery of his body which was already in the early stages of decomposition.
Escober said although Gribanov was initially believed to have drowned, they have already requested an autopsy on his remains to determine if there was foul play behind his death.
“Nag conduct na ta og investigation kung kinsa tong last na-istorya or nahimamat aning tawhana and nangita na og any CCTV gikan sa atong CDRRMO or establishment nga nakakita sa iyang whereabouts before nakit-ang patay,” Escober said. (A. Doydora)