ORMOC CITY — A 61-year-old man is missing after being swept away by a strong river current while trying to save his 4-year-old granddaughter from drowning in Barangay Guirang, Basey, Samar, on Saturday afternoon, January 4.
The police identified the victim as alias “Teo,” a self-employed resident of V&G Subdivision, Tacloban City.
According to the initial police report, the incident was reported around 10:30 pm by a boat captain identified as alias “Christmel,” who operates the Lagkaw River Cruise.
The boat captain told authorities that the victim and his family were returning to the wharf after a river cruise when the accident occurred.
Based on the investigation, the 4-year-old girl, identified as alias “Lily,” slipped and fell into the river from the boat. Without hesitation, her grandfather, Teo, dove into the river to rescue her. However, he struggled against the strong current.
Family members on the boat quickly jumped in and managed to save the child.
Unfortunately, Teo was swept away by the current and has been missing since.
Authorities, including the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) and the Coast Guard Substation in Basey, Samar, have launched a search and retrieval operation, which is still ongoing.
As of this report, rescuers have yet to locate the missing grandfather.
(ROBERT DEJON)
