6-yr.-old taken by river in Banaue found two days later; Mayor Mongolnon assures support to the family

Banaue, Ifugao—The body of a six-year-old Grade 2 pupil taken away by a strong river current in Banaue, Ifugao, on August 19 was finally found this August 21. 

In a phone interview, Mayor’s Office Executive Assistant James Damoyan confirmed that the victim was found past 10:00 a.m. on August 21 in Sitio Imbiyang, approximately 1.2 kilometers away from the place of the incident. 

“Nabirukan da suna tattay agsapa mga past 10:00 a.m. Diay nakabirukan da kanyana ket Barangay Cambulo met laeng ngem mga 1.2 kilometers away idiay nakapasamakan diay insidente,” said Damoyan, adding that the body was already with the family. 

Mayor Don-don Mongolnon, as relayed by the executive assistant, personally expressed his sympathies to the victim’s family and assured them that the local government, through concerned offices, will provide necessary support to them. 

It can be recalled that the 6-year-old and four other minors went to the river in Barangay Cambulo at around 12:00 to 1:00 p.m on August 19 for a swim.

While at the river, the victim tried to climb a large rock to dive into the part of the river where the current was slower. However, he slipped and fell into the part with a strong current and was taken. 

The PNP, BFP, and MDRRMC were dispatched immediately to rescue the boy. The teams were joined by the BLGU officials and concerned members of the community in the search and rescue operation.  After racing against time, the rescuers retrieved the body two days later.