Child, 5, killed in flashflood

CEBU, Philippines - A five-year-old boy died after he was carried away by flashflood while retrieving his slippers that fell into the river near their house in the City of Naga, Cebu past noon yesterday.

Rey Mantalaba of the Naga Emergency Assistance Team identified the fatality as Christian Dave Alferez of Barangay Lutac.

Mantalaba said they received a call around 1 p.m. from Lutac Barangay Captain Eleazar T. Gesman asking for help, so the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office dispatched 30 personnel to look for the child.

Mantalaba said the barangays the river passes through were alerted and also requested to look for Alferez.

The rescuers, which divided into three groups, scoured the river but could not find him.  Around 4 p.m. yesterday, a fisherman found the boy’s body floating in the waters off South Poblacion, City of Naga.

Mantalaba said the boy was left in the care of his grandparents, whose house is located by the ri-ver.  The boy was allegedly allowed to go to the river to play.

The child’s cousin told rescuers that he was playing near the river and his slippers fell into the river.

While the boy was picking up his slippers, a deluge of water caused by heavy rain in the mountains suddenly carried him away.

“Ang tsinilas nahulog sa sapa iyang gigukod.  Nakuanan siya sa ulo sa baha.  Mao ni pagka-anod niya, nagpatabang si kapitan,” Mantalaba said.

Mantalaba said boy was last seen waving frantically for help before disappearing.

Initial inspection of the boy’s body showed he suffered head injuries, which he may have sustained after being pummeled by the water several times. (FREEMAN)