Farmer found dead in Tigbauan river

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A 56-year-old farmer was found dead Thursday morning, July 16, after he apparently drowned while crossing a river in Tigbauan, Iloilo.

The victim, identified only as “Gerardo,” was a resident of Barangay Dorong-an.

His body was discovered in Barangay Poblacion 1 at about 6:40 a.m.

Reports indicated that another farmer saw Gerardo crossing the Batiano River at about 2:40 p.m. Wednesday, July 15.

The witness said Gerardo disappeared beneath the water shortly afterward.

Police Capt. Alfred Mansoy, chief of the Tigbauan Municipal Police Station, said police officers and rescuers conducted a search-and-rescue operation until Wednesday evening but failed to find him.

His body was recovered about 2 kilometers from where he was last seen.

Authorities had yet to provide further information on the circumstances surrounding his death.