A speargun fisherman in the Municipality of Boljoon, southeastern side of Cebu Province, drowned while he was tackling a large fish that allegedly pulled him down into deep waters at about 10 p.m. on February 15, 2024.

Gregorio Viñan Jr., 45 years old, drowned in the waters of Barangay South Granada, Boljoon.

In an investigation done by the Boljoon Police with Viñan’s companion identified as “Jeffrey,” it was learned that 10 minutes after he did not receive any sign from Viñan down the surface, done usually through a blinker, he traced the whereabouts of the victim and found him at about 40 meters.

Police Staff Sergeant Sherwin Cejudo, chief investigator of the Boljoon Municipal Police Station, said that Jeffrey saw his companion hugging reportedly his catch.

“Distansya ra man sila og 50 meters, iyang giadto, naglingkod na man didto sa ilawom sa dagat dayon naghalog sa iyang kuha nga isda. Atong analisar ani, nahutdan og hangin, nabalong ba. Naay pisi pero naghalog siya sa isda, either gi-cramp-an ni or dugay kaayo ang iyang [struggle] sa isda,” Cejudo said.

Moreover, Cejudo said that the man could have underestimated the weather condition and his stamina.

Cejudo pointed out that the men started fishing at about 7 p.m. and that they were depending on their swimming skills, as they have not taken with them a boat or a raft to rest upon. Further, the weather was also cold.

The victim caught a grouper (locally called "pugapo"), but because it was large, estimated to be three feet long and weighed about five kilos, he struggled reportedly to bring it to the surface.

Boljoon Police determined there was no foul play in the drowning incident.

They reminded fishers, though, to be responsible always for their safety. Despite excellent swimming skills, they said, the human body has its threshold.

“Dili lang kaayo dugayon ba, aron di maabtan nga mokapoy, mo-cramp ang lawas kay langoy ra baya. Di lang pud pugson kon naay isda nga dagko, kay ma-engganyo sila ining dagko, gi-underestimate to niya,” Cejudo said.