Search on for man swept away in Chico River

LUBUAGAN, Kalinga — Members of the search and rescue team and community volunteers are looking for a 22-year-old man who was swept away while attempting to cross the Chico River in Lubuagan, Kalinga.

The man was identified as Japer Cawi Pallogan Jr. He was swept away by the river current at around 6:30 a.m. on 14 September 2026, in the vicinity of Begwang, Sukiap, in Barangay Tanglag, Lubuagan.

According to initial reports from local authorities, Pallogan accidentally fell into the river while crossing and was immediately carried away by the strong current. Rescuers later recovered several of his personal belongings along the riverbank, including his mobile phone, a pair of slippers, a cap and a bag. He remains missing.

Emergency responders from the Lubuagan Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MDRRMC) and the Municipal Health Office (MHO) initiated search efforts shortly after the incident was reported. Local officials have requested additional support from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Kalinga Extension Office to expand the search area along the river.