Boy, 8, drowns in Antipolo resort pool

An 8-year-old boy drowned at a resort in Antipolo City on Wednesday afternoon.

Police identified the victim only as “Zian,” a Grade 1 student and resident of Sitio Cabading, Barangay Inarawan.

The incident occurred at around 2:05 p.m. at Bukal sa Boso-Boso Resort in Sitio Old Boso-Boso, Barangay San Jose.

Initial investigation showed that a 22-year-old puto vendor, identified as alias “Kim,” met the child near a Shell gas station where both were selling. Although they were not acquainted prior to the incident, the boy asked to accompany Kim when he mentioned his plan to swim at the nearby resort.

Kim initially refused, but the boy insisted, prompting him to allow the child to go along.

CCTV footage showed the two swimming without signs of distress. Later, Kim decided to go home due to the cold weather and proceeded to the comfort room to change clothes, assuming the boy would follow. Unknown to him, the child went back to the pool alone.

Further review of the CCTV footage revealed that the victim dove into the deeper part of the pool and did not resurface.

Resort staff later discovered the incident and rushed the child to a nearby hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival.

Authorities remind the public that children must always be accompanied and supervised by adults around swimming pools and open water.