2 school kids die, 5 missing in floods

DAVAO CITY – At least seven school children were initially reported to have been missing when flash floods struck Tuesday afternoon in Sitio Mambusao, Barangay Taocanga, in Manay, Davao Oriental.

According to Police Senior Superintendent Jimmy Manabat, the remains of two of the seven children were recovered yesterday morning while the five others still remained missing. 

Manabat said the children, some of whom were brothers and sisters, were crossing the Mambusao River when flash floods suddenly occurred. 

The children were reportedly sent home by their teachers at the New Madsayap Primary School due to the bad weather condition Tuesday afternoon. 

Manabat said three other pupils were rescued at the height of flash floods while the seven were said to have been carried away by the rampaging waters. 

The police chief said the search and rescue operations still continue for the five missing pupils identified as Geman Tupiasan, JepJep Quibo, Jinggoy Quibo, Jun-ay Sumaliling and another one who still has to be identified. 

Those whose remains were recovered were identified as Renan Quibo and Vangie Sumaliling. – Edith Regalado