Pinukpuk farmer drowned while crossing the Chico River to go home

Pinukpuk, Kalinga – A 55-year-old farmer from Barangay Ballayangon was found lifeless and floating in the river in Sitio Abbut in Barangay Pinucok February 2, this is two days after he was supposed to go home to his family.

Police investigation says that the victim is working as a farmer in Purok 6, Pinucok, Pinukpuk and that on January 31, he packed his bags and told the owner of the house where he was staying that he was going home to Ballayangon.

Additionally, a witness saw the old man carrying his two back packs going down towards the Chico River. He stood there as if assessing where to cross in order to get to the other side of the river. Another witnesses from the other side of the river, about 40 meters away from the victim, saw him remove his clothings and carry his bags over his head then cross the river.

“Adda nakakita, bumallasiw kuma daytoy ket naiyanod, kunada nu nakaballasiw ket haan met gayam,” said Kalinga Police Provincial Director PCol. Davy Vicente Limmong.

After two days, a lifeless body who was only wearing an underwear was found floating.

Limmong said that based on the post mortem examination conducted by a doctor, the cause of death of the man is drowning.

Meanwhile, the family refused to subject the victim to autopsy.