Tragic Drowning Incident Claims Lives of Two Young Students in Bohol
In a heartbreaking incident that has shaken the community of Ubay, Bohol, two Grade 3 students lost their lives after drowning in a canal operated by the National Irrigation Authority (NIA). The tragic event unfolded on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at approximately 10:45 a.m. in Purok 2, Governor Boyles.
Victims Identified as Local Residents
The young victims have been identified as Justine Etorma, aged 9, from Purok 3, and John Carl Mercolesia, aged 10, from Purok 1. Both children were residents of Governor Boyles, Ubay, Bohol, and attended the same school. Their untimely deaths have left the small community in mourning.
Discovery and Recovery Efforts
According to the official investigation conducted by the Ubay Municipal Police Station under the Bohol Police Provincial Office, NIA personnel were the first to discover the children's bodies floating in the irrigation canal. They immediately notified Emma Enoc, who then alerted Barangay Kagawad Jayson Pagaran Lavador.
Kagawad Lavador acted swiftly, retrieving the children from the water. Justine Etorma was recovered first, followed by John Carl Mercolesia. Both were found lifeless and were subsequently brought to the covered court of Barangay Governor Boyles for initial assessment.
Sequence of Events Leading to the Tragedy
Further investigation revealed a series of unfortunate circumstances that led to the drowning. The two children had left school earlier in the day because classes were suspended. Their teacher, Evelyn Requireme, had informed parents through a group chat that she was sick and on leave for a medical check-up, necessitating the class suspension.
However, a critical communication breakdown occurred. The victims' parents stated they did not receive any information about the class suspension because they did not have cell phones. This left the children unsupervised after they returned home.
The investigation indicates that after arriving home, the children left their school bags behind and returned to the canal to play. One of the victim's parents was doing laundry in a nearby rice field at the time, unaware of the children's whereabouts.
No one noticed the children near the canal behind the school, where they went to bathe. Their clothes were later found placed under a small bridge, suggesting they had intended to swim in the irrigation waterway.
Official Medical Determination
Dr. Cristel Joy Macas, the Municipal Health Officer who examined the two victims, confirmed that the cause of death was drowning. The medical examination provided definitive closure to the circumstances surrounding their tragic passing.
Community Impact and Safety Concerns
This devastating incident has raised serious questions about child safety near irrigation canals and communication protocols between schools and parents in areas with limited technological access. The tragedy underscores the vulnerability of children in rural communities and the importance of multiple communication channels for critical information like class suspensions.
The local community of Governor Boyles is now grappling with the loss of two young lives, while authorities continue to investigate whether any additional safety measures could prevent similar tragedies in the future. The incident serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers posed by unsupervised water activities, particularly for young children.
