On Sun afternoon, Feb 28, Clarence John Sanchez — a 14-year-old Araullo High School student training to be a member of the country’s sailing team — drowned during practice in Manila Bay. His teammates tried but failed to revive him.
“A team official (who requested that his name be withheld) explained that Sanchez was recruited by one of his teammates and had started practicing last Saturday, February 27. He was being trained to fill a slot in the 12-man training pool under national team coach Felipe Mosquera,” reports Rey Galupo in The Philippine Star.
Nelbert Sanchez, the victim’s father, reported the incident to the Manila Police District (MPD). He claimed he didn’t know about his son’s inclusion in the team and he did not give his consent for the boy to join the practice.
In line with the complaint, he charged Mosquera for “reckless imprudence resulting in homicide.” The report noted that Mosquera claimed he would not comment on the incident because he “was not authorized to do so.” He is now under the custody of the MPD.
The report further revealed that the dead boy was not considered an official member of the team because he “had only been training for two days.”
A team official defended Mosquera, saying, “These things happen. Sometimes kids join the practice and just leave. It was also beyond comprehension that the father did not know what his son was doing.”
