Bulletin: On the Drowning of Another Filipino in New Zealand

17 January 2019 – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) extends its deepest sympathy to the family of another Filipino who drowned on Wednesday night in New Zealand.

The Philippine Embassy in Wellington said the 20-year-old victim was swimming with friends on the Whanganui River, 150 kilometers northwest of Wellington, when he went under water. His body was recovered on Thursday.

This is the second drowning involving a Filipino in a week and the third since October. Last Friday, Filipino student Kent Espinosa drowned at the Whangarei Falls. In October, another Filipino drowned while trying to save his nieces.

As a result of these drownings, Ambassador to New Zealand Jesus Gary Domingo said the Embassy will hold townhall meetings to promote better water safety awareness with members of the Filipino Community. END