3 Boy Scouts in deadly Zambo electrocution were able to warn peers

The three Boy Scouts who were electrocuted during the opening of the city-wide jamboree in Zamboanga City on 12 December 2024, which was canceled due to the tragedy. Image courtesy of BSP-Zamboanga Council

ZAMBOANGA CITY (MindaNews / 13 December) – The three Boy Scouts who passed away during the December 12 electrocution at the “Zamboanga Citiwide Jamboree” had managed to warn their fellow scouts of the presence of a high voltage wire in the area.

“No man ya camo atraca aqui kay tan corriente kami (Don’t anymore go near here because we have been electrocuted),” Emman Iguid was quoted as saying.

While crawling, Geoffrey Atilano was flashing a hand sign for the other participants not to come nearer.

Alvien Gaspar pushed back a nearby child in order to spare him from being electrocuted as well.

In a statement, the Boy Scouts of the Philippines – Council of Zamboanga (BSP – Zamboanga Council) said that the three scouts embodied the true spirit of scouting, “enthusiastically sharing their knowledge, skills, and giving of themselves in service to others.”

Khalid Adjula, a member of the executive board of the BSP – Zamboanga Council, said the incident has polarized public opinion in the locality.

“It’s clear that the public opinion is divided. However, even amidst disagreement, it’s crucial that we continue to approach each other with respect,” he said.

“Respect doesn’t mean we always have to agree—it means recognizing each other’s right to have a voice, and engaging thoughtfully, even when the views are polarized,” he added.

Reports from the Zamboanga City Police Station 7  showed that a high-voltage wire was found lying in an unsafe condition within the vicinity of the jamboree site. As a result, three of the Boy Scouts perished and 10 others are now in the hospital fighting for their lives.

“It remains unclear why such a dangerous electrical hazard was present and unchecked in an area designated for an event involving minors. The failure to address this hazard led to the tragic loss of lives, casting a spotlight on lapses in venue inspection and safety planning,” said Jon Villasan Cruz, corporate  human relations and operations head of McQueens Group of Companies, a local company in the city.

Cruz said the event organizers, local government safety authorities, and utility providers should be held accountable for the fatal Boy Scout event.

“Organizers of large events, particularly those involving minors, bear the responsibility to ensure that all safety protocols are met. This includes thorough site inspections, coordination with safety and utility agencies, and addressing potential hazards before the event begins,” Cruz said.

“Local authorities and agencies responsible for public safety should have conducted a rigorous assessment of the area before approving it as a safe venue. Coordination with utility companies is essential to ensure that electrical lines and other risks are mitigated,” he added.

“Electric companies or relevant power providers must ensure that electrical lines, especially high-voltage wires, are properly installed, maintained, and secured. Any failure to identify or repair a potentially life-threatening hazard represents a lapse in their duty,” Cruz said.

TalonTalon National High School teacher Shafiq Kiram backed the stand of Cruz.

“They died because of negligence, and someone should be held accountable for that,” Kiram said.

Zamboanga City Administrator Wendell Sotto stated that the  incident should serve as a “yardstick” for all future camping and jamboree activities.

There should be a thorough examination of safety practices, training, and emergency preparedness, he added.

“This tragedy calls for enhanced training for both adults and youth leaders on recognizing and mitigating hazards, ensuring that every scout is equipped with the knowledge to keep themselves and their peers safe,” Sotto said. (Frencie L. Carreon / MindaNews)