SEARCH and rescue operations continue in the province of Benguet for missing persons in Mankayan and Tuba while the body of a woman was retrieved by authorities in Badiwan river, Sitio Agaynec Badiwan, Poblacion in Tuba,Benguet.
On August 14, the body of Krystel Marlin, 19 and native of Samar but residing in Tesda Loakan, Baguio City, was retrieved by joint elements of Tuba Municipal Police Station (Tuba MPS), Tuba Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, Bureau of Fire, together with Barangay DRRMC and other agencies.
Chief Inspector James Acod, Tuba MPS chief, said the boardmate of the victim confirmed the identity of the victim who was swept away by the strong current at the open box culvert canal in front of the Everlodge in Badiwan, Marcos Highway Poblacion, Tuba.
“The office is trying to locate the exact address of the victim in Samar (or) Leyte for immediate coordination. The body of the victim was brought at La Paz Funeral Homes, Baguio City,” the chief police said.
Meanwhile, search and retrieval operation is ongoing in Mankayan after a landslide occurred in sitio Lupa-ac, burying Luvina Julian Kidkid, barangay secretary of Bedbed.
Initial investigation revealed that the victim and her companions were cleaning the footpath when the landslide occurred.
Authorities are also conducting search and retrieval operation for another missing person over the weekend identified as Mencio Abol Amitem, 57, married, farmer/driver and a resident of Pula, Poblacion, Tuba.
The victim was about to cross the canal carrying baggage when he was outbalanced and fell into the canal and was swept away by the strong current towards the Badiwan River in Tuba towards Asin.
Acod said the terrain and strong current of water hinder their retrieval efforts. (With a report from Jonathan Llanes)