Girl, 5, ‘missing’ in river

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Authorities continue to search for a five-year-old girl who was reported missing in a river at Barangay La Granja, La Carlota City, Negros Occidental last Sunday.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Jonel Guadalupe, city police chief, said the victim, whose name was withheld, was left by her mother in the middle of the river to fetch her two-year-old brother.

“Gin una lang siya patabok sang nanay, tapos gin sugat ang manghod,” Guadalupe added.

But when the mother was about to cross the river again, she noticed that her daughter could not be seen anymore.

Guadalupe said the victim probably slipped on the rocks and was swept by the strong river current.

“Malakas kasi ulan nung Sabado, baka nilamon ng malakas na agos ng tubig, kasi sabi nila parang naipon na tubig galing sa taas tapos biglang bumagsak nung time na iyon,” he added.

Guadalupe said the victim’s mother could not save her daughter at that time because of the strong water current.

They were supposed to feed their animals when the incident happened, he added.

As of 5 p.m. yesterday the victim has yet to be found.

Guadalupe said the search and retrieval team were advised to resume the operations the following day.