GABALDON, Nueva Ecija – A construction worker who earlier joined an Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) outreach program in this town, drowned after he went swimming with his companions in a river, Tuesday, police said.

Police identified the fatality as Gerry Gabano, 36, single, of Bgy. Pinamalisan.

Before the drowning incident, town police head Major Aniceto Caraang Jr. said the victim and other church companions initially went to Sitio Pagsangjan, Bgy. Pinamalisan to conduct an INC outreach program called “Lingap Katutubo” at 8 a.m.

However, at about 1:30 p.m., after going swimming and preparing to go home, the group noticed that the victim could not be found.

A certain Eduardo Gabano told the police that one of their companions saw the victim dove into a deep portion of the river and had not surfaced since.

Maj. Caraang said the victim’s dead body was recovered at 7 p.m. after conducting rescue and retrieval operations in the river.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Steve A. Gosuico