Search and rescue teams are continuously searching for a farmer swept away by rampaging waters from the overflowing Kabacan River here following a heavy downpour Friday afternoon.
Arnulfo Villaruz, North Cotabato Provincial Disaster Risk and Reduction Management (PDRRM) officer, identified the missing farmer as Renante Ambahan, of Purok 1-B, Barangay Tua-el.
“Witnesses said Ambahan attempted to cross the river but lost his footing and was swept away,” Villaruz told reporters Saturday.
He said search teams from the PDRRMO, the municipal disaster management team, local police, the Bureau of Fire Protection, and village officials have been scouring the riverbanks overnight for possible sightings of the victim but failed.
“Still, for the 12 hours that we have been searching for him, we cannot yet confirm if Ambahan is alive,” he said.
Kabacan River, a tributary of the larger Pulangi River, usually overflows during heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and typhoon season.
It is discharging its waters through nearby Barangay Kayaga of Kabacan town.
Villaruz said other flood-affected towns in the province are those of Makilala, Magpet, Kabacan, and Kidapawan City.
A monsoon trough is currently affecting the country and has brought heavy rains in parts of Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao.
Source: Philippines News Agency
