47-year-old man taken by current while crossing Bakun River in Benguet

Bakun, Benguet – A search is still underway for a 47-year-old farmer who got swept by the raging waters while crossing Bakun River in Barangay Poblacion, Bakun 9 AM of Wednesday, August 17.

Mateo Dal-it from Sinacbat was taken by the strong current of the river while he was leading cows across along with his 58-year-old companion, Bobby Atoling.

In a report by the Municipal Disaster Risk Management Office of Bakun, Dal-it still managed to assist the first cow in crossing the river but while trying to pull the second one, he was carried away.

In an interview by a local radio with Mayor Bill Raymundo of Bakun, he narrated that when the victim’s companion threw the rope of the second cow to Dal-it, the latter was not able to catch it.

He then ran towards the rope to get it resulting to the accident.

Atoling was not able to save Dal-it due to the river’s state. He rushed to residents at Sitio Beyeng, Sinacbat for help, but Dal-it has not immediately been found.

On Thursday, August 18, a larger search and rescue operation was made by MDRRMO Bakun, PNP Bakun, barangay officials and volunteers but were not able to retrieve the body of the victim.

One reason that hindered Dal-it’s retrieval is the murky state of Bakun River, according to Mayor Raymundo.

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