3-year-old kid drowns in Cotabato river

COTABATO CITY, Philippines - A three-year-old child named Alex Agrasa, Jr. was drowned Wednesday when he fell from his father’s shoulder while attempting to cross a river swelled by heavy rains several days before in Pigcawayan, North Cotabato.

The victim and his father, farmer Alex Agrasa, Sr., were fleeing from their home in Barangay Payong-Payong in Pigcawayan, North Cotabato for fear that a flashflood could hit their village due to the swelling of nearby rivers.

Investigators said neighbors tried, but failed to prevent the Agrasas from crossing the river.

The child’s cadaver was found further downstream, away from Barangay Payong-Payong.

The local government unit of Pigcawayan has dispatched officials to help in the burial of the victim.