20-yr.-old student who drowned in Atok, Benguet still not found

Atok, Benguet - A supposed to be fun swimming with friends ended in tragedy after one of them, a 20-year-old man, drowned along the Amburayan River earlier this week. 

According to the report of the DZWT 540 AM - Radyo Totoo, the incident happened during lunch time on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, but was reported only to the Municipal Police Station at 5:10 p.m.  

Initial investigations of Atok Municipal Police Station revealed that the victim and three fellow students went to the river to swim. The 20-year-old, as reported by his buddies to the police, took a dive into the river and was swept away by the strong current, resulting in his drowning.  

Notified by the police about the incident, Atok Mayor Franklin Smith immediately ordered a search and rescue operation to locate the victim. 

Joining the local police in the operation are the Municipal Fire Station, the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Barangay Officials of Naguey, the victim’s relatives, and volunteers.  

As of this writing, the young man has not yet been found.  

Following the incident, the public is advised to comply with the previous municipal executive order prohibiting all water-related leisure activities in Atok when the weather and river conditions are not favorable.  

The mayor also appealed to visitors coming to the Amburayan River and other river sites in town to coordinate with the barangay officials before swimming to ensure their safety and allow proper monitoring of activities.