Teen found dead in river, two companions still missing

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

 

BACOLOD City – The body of a female teenager was found in a riverbank at Barangay Zone 15, Talisay City, Negros Occidental Thursday.

The victim, Janet Rodriguez, 16, of Barangay Mandalagan, was reported missing along with her two companions in a river in the said village Wednesday.

According to Geoffrey Gutierrez, head of Talisay City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, six friends went swimming in the river Wednesday afternoon when the heavy rains fell.

Gutierrez said three survived while three others went missing after they were carried by the strong water current.

He said they initiated a Search and Retrieval (SAR) operation since the river at Barangay Mandalagan is connected with the river in Talisay City.

He said the remains of Rodriguez were retrieved around 6 am yesterday. The victim suffered head injuries as she probably bumped into the rocks in the river, he added.

As of 2 pm yesterday, the two other teenagers are still missing even as the SAR operation is ongoing.