20-yr.-old student slips, falls off Kaunlaran Bridge in Amulung, Cagayan; Search and retrieval operation ongoing

Amulung, Cagayan – An early morning walk on Kaunlaran Bridge in Amulung, Cagayan turned tragic after a 20-year-old student slipped and fell into the Cagayan River, prompting a search and retrieval operation by the Amulung Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) and other local authorities.

According to initial reports, the incident occurred in the early hours of December 22, 2025, between 5:00 and 6:00 a.m. The victim, identified as Benjie De Sagon Baltazar, a resident of Barangay Anquiray, was reportedly walking on the bridge and climbing the concrete railings when he accidentally slipped and fell into the river.

The Amulung Police Station said the victim’s companions disclosed that there was a gathering at a house in Centro, Amulung on the night prior to the incident. In the early hours of the following day, the group decided to go for a morning walk at the bridge, during which the accident happened.

The victim’s family has appealed for help, urging anyone who may see Benjie’s body along the downstream portion of the Cagayan River to immediately report the sighting to authorities.

A relative took to social media to plead for his safe return, writing, “...inxan ading, magpakita ka na. Wag mo pahirapan ang naghahanap sa’yo para mailigtas ka agad at maibalik ka sa amin. Ipagdasal mo lang, ading ko, alang-alang sa papa mo at mama mo. Sa mga nagbabangkero diyan, baka po may makita kayong lalaki na humihingi ng tulong o napadpad sa inyong lugar, pakitawagan naman po kami o pakipost na lang para malaman namin. Maraming salamat.”

One of Benjie’s friends also posted an emotional message online, saying, “...agpakita ka mittin ah. Nagadu kami nga agur-uray kenka. Please, Benjie De Sagon Baltazar, sapay kuma ta makaawid ka, sapay kuma ta makadwa mi ulit sika, batchmate. Agawid ka man, please.”

As of this writing, Benjie’s body has yet to be found. Search and retrieval operations are ongoing.