ORMOC CITY– A student reported missing after being swept away by a strong current from an irrigation canal on Tuesday afternoon, July 9, in Barangay Arado, Burauen, Leyte was found lifeless approximately five kilometers away at 2:10 am on Wednesday, July 10, in the vicinity of Sitio Liong, Poblacion District 3, Julita, also in Leyte.
The victim was only identified as “Moi,” 16, a student and resident of Pabahay, Brgy. Arado.
Case investigator Police Staff Sergeant Quinten Espada stated that the victim’s relatives, who were with him swimming at the irrigation canal, reported to the station around 4 pm on Tuesday.
The relatives, also minors, informed him that the victim was carried away by the strong current and was nowhere to be found.
Sergeant Espada said they immediately responded to the area to conduct an investigation and a search, along with the local rescue group.
Despite searching the entire irrigation canal in Brgy. Arado, they were unsuccessful.
A flash alarm was issued to neighboring police stations and barangays, requesting them to report any information regarding the missing victim.
At about 2:10 am on Wednesday, July 10, Levy Abrera, barangay chairman of Poblacion District 3, Julita, personally reported to Julita MPS that an unidentified body was found in his barangay. Julita MPS personnel promptly responded to verify and investigate the report. Upon arrival, they found the lifeless body of the victim still floating in the irrigation canal.
An initial investigation by the Julita police, based on an interview with “Jee,” 38, a farmer and resident of Brgy Dita, Julita, revealed that Jee and his siblings were night hunting in the area.
They discovered the victim stuck on a coconut branch in the irrigation system while crossing a man-made footbridge.
They immediately reported the discovery to the barangay captain, who then informed the police. The Julita police, having received the flash alarm, notified the Burauen police about the recovery of the victim’s body.
The victim’s cadaver was immediately brought to a local funeral parlor for an autopsy before being returned to his residence.(ROBERT DEJON)
