A 54-YEAR-OLD senior police official drowned while swimming in a beach in Surigao de Sur on Saturday morning, the Philippine National Police (PNP) reported yesterday.

Colonel Francisco Dungo, assigned at the PNP National Headquarters in Camp Crame, was swimming when he was slammed by big waves and was swept by the strong water current at the front of the family-owned resort in Purok Mutya, Barangay Arorogan in Marihatag, Surigao del Sur Saturday morning.

PNP chief, General Dionardo B. Carlos led the mourning for the official as he offered the PNP’s deepest sympathies to the family of Dungo, a resident of Libertad, Butuan City.

“The PNP is saddened by the untimely demise of Police Colonel Dungo, a hardworking officer who has dedicated himself to a full-time career in the police service. We join his family in prayer and mourning over his passing,” the PNP chief said.

A report from the Police Regional Office 13 said Dungo was swimming with his family and fellow church members in the beach fronting the family-owned resort.

However, while at the deeper part of the beach, he was swept by tidal current and breaking waves causing him to drown.

Local surfers immediately came to the rescue of Dungo and tried to resuscitate him but failed. He was later rushed to the Marihatag District Hospital where further attempts to revive him failed anew.

He was pronounced dead by Dr. Ivy Romanillos at 9:28 a.m. due to asphyxia secondary to drowning.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Alfred P. Dalizon