In the darkness, authorities searched the irrigation canal in Purok 6, Barangay Bulanao in Tabuk City, Kalinga, throughout the night.
At around 8 PM last night, October 10, an 18-year-old woman, a Grade 11 student named Precious Kate Damagen Arcio, drowned here while riding a motorcycle.
Acording to PCpt. Ruff Manganip, Spokesperson of Kalinga Police Provincial Office, “They were coming from a drinking session, and when they got to the area where there was a sharp curve, the 18-year-old driver seems to have lost control of the motorcycle, causing them to veer into the irrigation canal.”
The 19-year-old woman riding as a passenger was rescued by people who witnessed the incident.
The water in the irrigation canal was about 6 meters deep.
Because it was night, rescuers had a hard time finding the victim, so they decided to drain the water from the irrigation canal.
The victim’s body was found early this morning, around 3 AM, on October 11.
According to the police, this was not the first time someone had drowned in the said irrigation canal.
“There is no barricade along the sides of the irrigation canal. That’s what the people are requesting—whoever the concerned agency is, that irrigation canal has already claimed many lives. They should put barricades on both sides,” Manganip mentioned.
So far, there has been no response from the concerned authorities.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) also reminds the public, “Don’t drive when drunk because, as we know, sometimes we’re not aware that we could fall asleep or lose control of the accelerator.”
Meanwhile, eight people were injured after rocks fell on their jeep.
These eight individuals were rushed to Tuao District Hospital in Tuao, Cagayan.
The jeep they were riding in was struck by rocks as they were traveling along Barangay Dunggan in the town of Rizal at around six in the evening.
According to the police, the victims were on their way home after selling corn in the town of Tuao when the incident occurred.
“There were chunks of rocks coming from above. The driver may have panicked, and the vehicle got hit. They managed to move about 100 meters before stopping,” said PCMS. Jeremias Licayo, Senior Investigator of Rizal PNP.
The jeep’s driver was identified as Sherwin Talay, 35 years old.
However, due to the incident, the driver lost control, and their jeep fell into a ravine approximately 6 meters deep.
For now, the injured have already been discharged from the hospital.
According to the PNP, rocks frequently fall in this part of the road, and they advise motorists to remain vigilant while driving.
**CHARLES NIKKO LIMON
