AN 84-YEAR-OLD woman was found lifeless after being swept away by floodwaters following heavy rainfall in Sitio Cambaga, Barangay Ginabucan, Catmon, Cebu province around 11:00 p.m. on Monday, June 16, 2025.
The victim was identified as Gregoria Colita Podot, 84, a resident of the same area.
Based to an investigation by the Catmon Police Station, and based on the account of Jostino dela Cerna, a resident of Sitio Centro, Barangay Ginabucan, Dela Cerna was resting due to the heavy downpour when he noticed a body being carried by the floodwaters.
He immediately ran to seek help from nearby residents, who then contacted the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), which launched the retrieval operation.
The retrieval took several hours, and her body was eventually found around 11:00 p.m., caught in some debris.
Police Captain Renerio Mejias, chief of the Catmon police, said that around noon, the victim was supposed to fetch her grandchild from school.
On her way back, heavy rain had already started, causing the river to swell. Authorities believe she attempted to cross the river and was swept away by the strong current.
"Naa man gud nay sapa diha, kana daw si lola niadto na sa eskwelahan kay giapas ang apo nya pag uli kusog kusog na ang ulan unya kusog nasad ang tubig sa sapa mao to naanod," Mejias said.
(There’s a river in that area. Apparently, the grandmother had gone to the school to get her grandchild. On the way back, the rain was pouring hard, and the river had already swelled, that's likely when she was carried away.) (AYB)