Kalinga PDRRMO sends rescuers to Baggao, says missing Kalinga boy who drowned has been found

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — The Kalinga Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) mobilized rescuers to assist in the search for a seven-year-old boy feared drowned in Pared River in Baggao, Cagayan, whose body was recovered Wednesday afternoon, October 14.

PDRRMO chief Christian Luyaben said Kalinga prepared to deploy four Lumin-awa rescuers with equipment, along with four Philippine Coast Guard personnel, after the Baggao Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) requested assistance.

“Nag-coordinate ti Baggao. Ket inkua tayo dagitoy ta apan tumulong nga apan agsearch,” Luyaben said, explaining that Kalinga coordinated with Baggao to help in the search operation.

The boy, who was residing in Barangay Masical, Baggao, was believed to have drowned around noon on Tuesday, October 13. Luyaben confirmed to Guru Press Cordillera that the child was a native of Pinukpuk, Kalinga.

The Baggao MDRRMO led the search, with personnel from Barangays Masical and Poblacion and divers from the Philippine Coast Guard-Aparri also involved in the operation.

According to the Baggao Integrated Command and Control Center, fisherman Warlito Repotola spotted the boy’s body floating near Barangay Taguing shortly before 5 p.m. on Wednesday and immediately alerted authorities.

Baggao MDRRMO head Narciso Corpuz said rescuers cleared accumulated wood and other obstructions near the ongoing construction of the Poblacion-Bagunot Bridge to help facilitate the search.

At the request of the boy’s parents and relatives, his body was brought to a hospital.

Authorities are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.