• RICHARD T. CABALLERO JR.
Due to inclement weather conditions brought by then Tropical Depression Verbena, a senior citizen drowned after slipping while crossing a spillway at around 5 p.m. on Monday at Pacuan River Spillway, Sitio Proper, Brgy. Pacuan, La Libertad, Negros Oriental.
It was disclosed that the victim, who was in his early 60s, was allegedly under the influence of liquor, recklessly crossed the spillway that was flooded due to recent heavy rains.
As a result, he slipped at the edge and was carried away by the current, and efforts to save him were futile. Residents tried to help him but failed. Barangay rescuers assisted in the search for the senior citizen the next morning.
His daughter, Jonalyn Binondo Canoy, said in a Facebook live that her father was last seen in the spillway, gathering small debris from trees. However, he slipped and was carried away by the current of water, reconciling the data reported by the police.
As of press time, the victim is still missing, as the search and recovery operations are still underway.
Based on the weather forecast by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) issued at 2 p.m. on Monday, Negros Oriental was placed under tropical cyclone wind signal no. 1 due to Tropical Depression Verbena.
Authorities are still determining if the possible death of the victim was related to the tropical depression.*
