SWIMMING TURNS TO TRAGEDY: Strong current sweeps 12-year-old boy to death in Isabela canal

SAN MATEO, Isabela — A 12-year-old boy died after being swept away by a strong current in an irrigation canal in Barangay Sinamar Norte, San Mateo, Isabela, on October 11, despite an attempted rescue by a resident.

According to the San Mateo Municipal Police Station, a resident identified as alias “Jay” saw the boy, identified as alias “Cris,” struggling to stay afloat in the canal shortly after 4 p.m.

Jay attempted to rescue the child but could not reach him because of the strong current. He then called for help, prompting authorities and other rescuers to launch a search operation.

Rescuers later found the boy unconscious about one kilometer from the spot where he was first seen. He was rushed to the San Mateo Integrated Community Hospital, where he was declared dead.

Police said the boy may have been swimming alone, based on the clothes found along the canal. Authorities were still investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident as of this writing.

The incident follows another drowning case in San Mateo in January 2026, when a 17-year-old boy was found dead in an irrigation canal in Barangay Villa Magat.

A report by Bombo Radyo Cauayan said the teenager had reportedly gone swimming in a canal near his residence the day before his body was discovered.