A 20-year-old man died from leptospirosis after braving floods and heavy rains to search for his missing father.

Dion Angelo Dela Rosa went out on 22 July to look for his father, Jayson, who had failed to return home that day.

Dion eventually located him three days later, discovering that Jayson had been detained at a police substation for allegedly participating in kara y krus, an illegal street gambling activity.

According to Jennelyn, Dion’s mother, her husband rarely leaves home without informing the family. He had not brought his phone with him and was last seen leaving to accompany one of their children to work.

Dion began suffering from fever and body aches two days into the search. A doctor later revealed that a foot wound — believed to have developed into athlete’s foot due to exposure to floodwaters — led to a leptospirosis infection. He reportedly had a heart attack after eating and later his body adapted to the illness.

Jayson was released from police custody on 2 August, and denied involvement in the alleged gambling activity.

Jennelyn believes her husband may have been a victim of “pangsakto,” a supposed activity where police officers arrest individuals to meet detention quotas.