His family waited all night-But found he was dead: Student drowns in Baggao River

Tabuk City, Kalinga – The family of a college student waiting for news he would still be alive after he was swept by a river in Baggao, Cagayan on March 19 was informed he was already found, but lifeless.

The victim, whose name was withheld by police, was a first-year Information Technology (IT) student.

According to the Baggao Integrated Command and Control Center, the young man was reported missing on Thursday after drowning in a section of the river near the Dabbac Grande–Asinga Bridge.

Upon receiving the report, rescuers immediately launched a search and retrieval operation, joined by barangay officials and local residents. Authorities noted that the family remained at the site as the search continued.

The operation extended into the night, but the body was not located, prompting authorities to resume the search the following day, March 20.

At around 8:00 a.m., the victim was found but was already dead.

As of this writing, an investigation is ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident, including what caused the victim to drown.

In social media posts, friends and relatives expressed their grief, recalling their last moments with him.

“Ading, nag-usap lang tayo kahapon tapos, nag-smile ka pa. Ka-anu lang di agkakadwa tayu san. We’re still in shock; may you rest in peace. No one is prepared, ading! You are now in God’s hands,” they wrote.

Following the incident, police reminded the public to exercise caution when going near rivers and other bodies of water, especially when water depth and current conditions are uncertain.