Bones of farmer who drowned in 2023 found a year later in Peñablanca, Cagayan

Peñablanca, Cagayan – The skeletal remains of a farmer who went missing after he was swept off by the raging water of Pinacanauan River on July 25, 2023, were finally found over the weekend.

The victim’s remains were sighted by a backhoe operator who was then conducting excavation in a quarry site in Barangay Dodan, Peñablanca.

Upon noticing the skeletal remains, the backhoe operator notified barangay officials in the area. Informed of the incident, authorities proceeded to the area to investigate.

Based on records, it was known that a drowning incident transpired in Barangay Minanga of said town involving a father and son last year. The son’s remains were found a day later after they drowned, while the father’s body remained unfound.

Authorities then informed the family of said victim who positively identified the cadaver as a certain Jun Jun Taguiam. He was 36.

The victim’s wife was able to identify her husband through the underwear he was wearing and his teeth.

The victim’s remains were later ferried to a funeral parlor for appropriate care. Police ruled out foul play in the incident.

To recall, the victim and his son along with another companion went fishing on July 25 last year. While at the said river, they decided to get back home due to adverse weather conditions.

While their companion was able to cross the swelling river, the father and son failed to do so due to exhaustion. They drowned and became the subject of a search and rescue operation.

The son’s body was retrieved but the father’s remains were not located by authorities, not until it was found by a backhoe operator this July.