Sunday, November 04, 2007
Rivers kill 3 in 3 days
CROSSING shallow streams in cloudy weather proved dangerous for a mother and daughter.
They were swept away by the current in Barangay Hingatmonan, Balamban town Friday afternoon as they crossed the river.
Their companions could only watch as the water suddenly rose and dragged Marivic Ybañez, 29, and eight-year-old Maria Rose at 2:45 p.m.
The two were with Marivic’s husband Mario, 37, and son Vicente. They had just come from the Balamban cemetery to visit some relatives’ graves and were on their way home. They hired motorcycle driver Lito Marangan to take them there.
When they reached the Hingatmonan River, in the mountain village of Hingatmonan some 12 kilometers from the town proper, Marangan told the family to get off the motorcycle because he had to push it across the water.
Marivic and Maria Rose went ahead of the three, but the water came rushing at them.
Senior Insp. Anthony Bagarinao, Balamban police chief, led a search and rescue operation, combing the banks of the river.
Residents near the river also helped in the search.
PO1 Armand Enriquez of the Balamban Police Station said Marangay’s motorcycle was damaged, as he was unable to hold on to it when the water came rushing toward them.
Maria Rose’s body was found in Sitio Buson, Barangay Cantuod at 11 a.m.
yesterday. The area where she was found is 14 kilometers away from Hingatmonan and is near the sea.
Her mother remained missing as of press time.
Enriquez said the river is usually shallow. A spillway has been constructed from one end of the riverbank to the other, but Enriquez said the water level rises whenever it rains hard.
Other victims
In Barangay Old Bago, Asturias town, a man suffered a similar fate.
The body of Emilio Malaay Recemiento, 60, was found at 7:30 a.m. yesterday.
Recemiento was last seen at 4 a.m. Friday, headed for Barangay Agtogop. He was reportedly crossing the river when the strong current carried him away.
Last Thursday, a 10-year-old boy was also washed away while swimming with his friends at the back of the Balamban cockpit in Barangay Cambuhawe.
Alexis Santos Bago was with four other friends when it happened. Heavy rains were also blamed for the tragedy. (MEA)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (November 4, 2007 issue)
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