A five-year-old boy tragically died after drowning in an open septic pit in Purok Pag-Asa, Barangay Tawan-Tawan, Baguio District, Davao City on the evening of May 16.
According to a report from the Baguio Police Station, authorities received a call from a concerned citizen at around 9:25 p.m. regarding the incident. Police officers immediately responded to the area and launched an investigation.
The victim was identified only by the alias “Sep,” a minor and resident of the community.
Based on the testimony of the victim’s relative, identified as Juleto, he discovered the child submerged inside the septic pit at around 7:40 p.m. while he was on his way home. The boy was immediately rushed for assistance, but he was already pulseless and no longer breathing upon retrieval.
The victim’s remains were later brought by his family to Angel Funeral Parlor in Calinan for proper handling and funeral arrangements.
Police said the family no longer requested further investigation or an autopsy. However, the Baguio Police Station continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Authorities also issued a reminder to the public, especially to parents and guardians, to closely monitor children near construction areas, open pits, and other hazardous sites to prevent similar tragedies from happening again.
The heartbreaking incident has sparked concern among residents over the dangers posed by uncovered septic pits and poorly secured construction areas in residential communities.