Zamboanga City Mayor John Dalipe has canceled the ongoing citywide Boy Scout Jamboree following a tragic incident on Thursday morning that left three scouts dead and 12 others injured after being electrocuted while transferring a tent.
The event, which began on Wednesday and was scheduled to run until December 15, was held at Freedom Park in Sitio Abong-Abong, Barangay Pasonanca.
The incident occurred shortly before 9 a.m. when 15 scouts were instructed to move a canopy tent from the roadside to the campsite. According to police reports, the tent’s metal frame accidentally struck a live wire, resulting in the electrocution of those holding it.
Three senior high school students succumbed to their injuries while being rushed to the Zamboanga City Medical Center.
Two of them were students from Zamboanga City High School, while the third was from Barangay Recodo. The other victims received first aid at the site before being transported to the hospital for further treatment.
Police Staff Sergeant Alwasier Ladja, who is investigating the case, revealed that the order to move the tent came from Butch Ignacio Alejabo, the overall in-charge of the Boy Scouts Jamboree.
The scouts, unaware of the danger, were cheering as they carried the four metal poles supporting the canopy when the tent’s tip made contact with the live wire.
“It’s very sad and unfortunate,” said Lawyer Jose Rizalino Ortega Jr., chairperson of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines council, as he confirmed the incident.
Mayor Dalipe expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and vowed to provide support to the affected families. The city government is also coordinating with the Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative (Zamcelco) to investigate how the live wire posed a hazard near the campsite.
The names of the deceased scouts have been withheld out of respect for their families.
The incident has cast a shadow over what was supposed to be a celebratory gathering, with calls for stricter safety measures in future youth activities.