Two teens drown in Sagay City river

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — Two Grade 10 students, aged 15 and 16, were found dead on Sunday, two days after they drowned in a river in Purok Jordan, Barangay Malubon, Sagay City, Negros Occidental.

Police said the victims, along with three classmates, were swimming in the river when a sudden strong current from the upstream area swept them into a deeper portion of the water.

The three classmates managed to swim to a shallow area and were rescued by residents, while the two victims were briefly seen surfacing before they eventually submerged.

Jorge Cabalang Jr. of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office said a flash flood occurred despite fair weather conditions, noting that rains in the upland portion of the village contributed to the sudden surge in water.

The Philippine Coast Guard, together with the city disaster office and other local agencies, immediately launched search, rescue, and retrieval operations.

The decomposing body of the older victim was recovered at 10:16 a.m. on Jan. 11 along a riverbank in Barangay Fabrica, about seven kilometers downstream from the site of the incident.

The remains were later positively identified by the victim’s family.

Later that night, the body of the remaining victim was retrieved along the riverbank in Barangay Himogaan Baybay at about 10 p.m.

The Philippine Coast Guard extended its condolences to the bereaved families and assured the public of its continued commitment to saving lives and ensuring maritime and riverine safety.

Cabalang said search and rescue operations were terminated shortly before midnight on Sunday.

“With heavy hearts, we sincerely ask for the understanding and forgiveness of the bereaved families if the outcome of the operation fell short of their hopes. Please know that our responders did not give up,” the city disaster office said in a statement.

The local rescue group said the operation was not just an emergency response but an act of service driven by compassion, sacrifice, and humanity.

“Our responders share in the family’s grief. This is a burden no rescuer takes lightly,” the group said.