Laborer missing while swimming at CdO river

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY —Search and retrieval operation resumed Monday for a laborer who was reported missing and believed to have drowned while swimming after a drinking session along the bank of a flooding river in Barangay Iponan this city Sunday afternoon.

Police identified the victim as Vincent Okit Recuya, 18 years old and resident of Zone 6, Bolao, Barangay Iponan.

Initial report said the victim with his brother Jason went out for a picnic along the Iponan river about 12 noon Sunday and had a drinking spree when the river began swelling because of heavy rains in the hinterland areas of the barangays.

The brothers then decided to cross the river to return to their house across it when strong undercurrent carried the victim downstream.

Jason attempted to rescue the victim but was also carried away by the current but was also able to swim back to safety.

Search and rescue operation was carried out until Sunday afternoon when called off due to inclement weather.

Coast guard frogmen were deployed to continue scouring the murky river to retrieve the body of the victim.