By I. Inojales | 07:00 PM August 01, 2025
CLARIN, BOHOL — A 17-year-old male student drowned while swimming at Binaliw Falls in Barangay Cantoyoc, Clarin town, on Wednesday afternoon, July 30, 2025.
Authorities believe the victim may have suffered an epileptic seizure while in the water.
The victim, a resident of Barangay Bantuan in the neighboring town of Buenavista, was enjoying a swim with friends around 1 p.m. when he suddenly disappeared beneath the clear, cold waters of the popular natural spring.
Police Executive Master Sergeant Jose Mitchell Nioda of the Clarin Police Station said that the boy’s father had confirmed his son had a history of epilepsy, which may have triggered the incident.
The boy’s companions reportedly did not notice right away that he had gone missing, as they were also busy enjoying the water.
A search and rescue operation was immediately launched by the Clarin Fire Station. The victim’s body was found around 3 p.m. that same day, submerged about five meters (approximately 15 feet) below the surface.
Rescuers tried to revive him, but he was declared dead on arrival by attending physicians.
Binaliw Falls has gained a reputation for being “mysterious,” with locals claiming to have seen sea fish in its freshwater pools. Several previous drowning incidents have occurred in the area, with victims allegedly vanishing suddenly and only resurfacing lifeless.
