A 12-year-old boy drowned while retrieving his slippers at a river in Zamboanga City.

Authorities recovered the body of the boy using a rope in Kilometer 7, Barangay Pasonanca.

Police said the boy went swimming with his friends when his slippers got carried away by the strong current.

The boy tried to retrieve his slippers and ended up at the deep portion of the river, and drowned.

“Dahil sa lakas ng current ng tubig, na-slide siya doon sa spillway kaya ang nangyari napailalim siya doon sa malakas ng current ng tubig kaya hindi na niya makuhang makaahon,” Police Station 7 Santa Maria Commander, Major Ramon Aquiatan, said.

Police reminded those who will swim in the river, especially minors, to be careful.

“Dapat mag-ingat tayo lalung-lalo na itong pagdating dito sa river ng Pasonanca, kasi pag umulan doon sa taas ng bukid, malakas talaga ang current ng tubig diyan, mapapansin nila dito sa baba na parang wala lang ulan,” Aquiatan added.