Body of 16-yr-old who fell off a boat in Alcala, Cagayan found after 2 days search

Alcala, Cagayan - Following a two-day search, authorities found the lifeless body of a teenager who drowned last week in Alcala, Cagayan.

Johnmark Costales, 16, was aboard a passenger boat with four other people on February 28. While they were traversing the Cagayan River in said town, he accidentally fell from the boat. Police findings revealed that he could have had seizures due to epilepsy, resulting in his drowning.

 A search and rescue operation was conducted immediately until the rescuers found Johnmark's body on Sunday, March 02.

According to Cecille Dominggo, the station manager of the Task Force Lingkod Cagayan-Quick Response Team (TFLC-QRT) - Amulung, the body of the victim was discovered in the waters of Barangay Nassiping, Gattaran.

Dominggo, in an interview with the Cagayan Provincial Information Office, added that the victim's family confirmed that the body retrieved is their loved one. 

The victim’s body is now at his residence for his wake.

Those involved in the search and rescue operation include members of the TFLC-QRT Amulung, the Philippine Coast Guard, the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO)-Alcala, the Philippine National Police, and volunteers.