Epileptic fisherman drowns off CDO

Cagayan de Oro City — A 49-year-old fisherman was found dead floating along the coast of Barangay Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro City early Wednesday morning.

Authorities identified the victim as Diony Clemente, a resident of Sitio Agora, Coastal Road, Lapasan.

Initial investigation revealed that Clemente left their home at around 3:00 a.m. to fish alone in Macajalar Bay, following an argument with his wife. She usually accompanies him on their daily net fishing trips due to his chronic epilepsy and later cooks and sells their catch in a small eatery near their home.

According to police, Clemente’s wife discouraged him from going out that morning as she was unable to accompany him, but he reportedly became upset and left with his fishing net anyway.

Concerned, his wife later tried to follow and check on him but could no longer locate him.

His lifeless body was discovered by a group of joggers, floating face-down and half-naked along the shoreline. A rescue team was immediately dispatched to retrieve the body, but initial assessment confirmed that Clemente was already dead.

The family believes Clemente may have suffered a seizure while fishing, which led to his accidental drowning.