2 men who drowned on same day in Amulung found 2 weeks later

Amulung, Cagayan – Two men who drowned on the same day when Typhoon Nika ravaged Cagayan and its neighboring provinces were finally found Tuesday, November 19, 2024.

The first to be recovered was the 18-year-old Romnick Gavino, a resident of Barangay Baccuit, Amulung.

The body was first seen by some residents along the Cagayan River, particularly in Barangay Gen. Batalla, Camalaniugan. They later informed authorities of the retrieval of his body. Gavino, after the retrieval, taken to a funeral home in the area.

When the family was informed of a discovered body wearing a striped polo shirt, with number ’83’ markings and red short pants, Gavino’s family proceeded to the funeral parlor immediately and positively identified that the retrieved cadaver was their missing relative.

The victim was with some companions collecting driftwood at the Cagayan River when the drowning incident happened.  He accidentally lost his grip on the wood he collected and was taken by the strong water current.

Another drowning victim found

The body of the other drowning victim was seen floating by a resident in Afusing Batu, Alcala yesterday, November 19 along the Cagayan River.

The victim, Francis Mariano, 42, and a resident of Barangay Bacuit, Amulung, was positively identified by his family.

Mariano was first reported to have drowned while trying to save his livestock in Barangay Logung in Amulung.

The local government of Amulung through its MDRRM office expressed gratitude to all those who have been instrumental in the retrieval of the bodies of the two victims.

“Ang lokal na pamahalaan ng Amulung sa pangunguna ni Mayor Elpidio R. Rendon ay taus-pusong nagpapasalamat sa MDRRMO Alcala, MDRRMO Camalaniugan, PNP Camalaniugan, at sa mga LGU ng mga nabanggit na bayan sa kanilang tulong at koordinasyon sa mga isinagawang search and retrieval operation,” the MDRRM office stated.

Meantime, a search and retrieval operation is still ongoing for the six-year-old child who drowned in Barangay Anquiray, Amulung.