ILOCOS SUR - A 5-year-old girl drowned in a river near her residence in Barangay Pandan, Caoayan, Ilocos Sur.

The victim was identified as Jenica Tamondong.

According to her mother, Joy, she thought her daughter was only playing outside their house.

Her neighbors, however, told her that Jenica went with other children to play in the river, where a dike was being constructed.

They started looking for Jenica, and one of her playmates told them that another child pushed her, making her fall into the river.

"Tinulak daw siya ng isa nilang kasama sabi ng kalaro niya," Joy said.

Residents in the area looked for Jenica, with a truck driver swimming into the river to rescue her.

The victim was brought to Ilocos Sur Provincial Hospital but was declared dead on arrival.