Another body found, one more missing

The search for the two remaining persons gone missing after being swept away by floods in Candulawan River in Talisay City last Saturday afternoon led to the recovery of another body near were the bodies of three of his companions were earlier found.

The fourth victim was retrieved from the creek in White Road, barangay Inayawan, Cebu City after a resident saw his extremities protruding from the debris.

The body was identified as Michael Agito, 22, of sitio Sto. Niño of barangay Inayawan who was among the five persons declared missing after floodwaters swept 13 boys and men away.

According to PO2 Edario Manatad of the Homicide Section, a certain Robert Sanchez saw the victim's leg among the debris prompting him to call his neighbors and rescue units scouring the area.

A group of rescuers from 505th 2nd Search and Rescue Squadron of the Philippine Air Force led by Capt. Jose Grayda, who have been looking for the victims since Saturday, pulled the bloated body of the victim out from the river.

Manatad told The Freeman that it was the mother's victim, Emily, who identified her son. Relatives of Agito already informed the authorities about the person since Saturday.

Police and rescuers are still looking for the other missing person identified as Marvin Tero.

During the incident eight of the boys and men were immediately rescued by residents and members of combined rescue units from Talisay City and Cebu City who rushed in to help.

Five of the rescued boys Ernel Badayos, 19; John Carlo Marinduque, 16; Ernest Sabay, 15 and Adrian Vasquez were brought to Talisay District hospital due to various injuries they suffered from the brute force of the flood.

The other boys with superficial injuries were identified as Jeboy Gabuya, 22; Arnel Cabaluna, 15; Jinos Cabaluna, 21 and Ronnie Verdesada.

Talisay police earlier said that the victim claimed they went to the said river just to take a bath but residents who saw them in the area tell another story, believing they were a fraternity doing initiation rites.

Barangay officials came to this conclusion when the survivors reportedly hesitated in giving their names and the names of the other victims who were swept by the floods.

Prior to the incident, Candulawan barangay councilman Nicasio Abandan reportedly warned them not to go to the area because of heavy rains, but his warning was ignored. - Edwin Ian Melecio/BRP