NATION

Two drown, river currents blamed

Aldwin Quitasol · Sep 27, 2026, 6:31 AM

PERSONNEL from the 2nd Abra Provincial Mobile Force Company participate in search, rescue and retrieval operations following a reported drowning incident involving a Filipino and a Korean national at Ikmin River, Sitio Bani, Poblacion, Boliney, Abra, on 26 September. — Photograph courtesy of 2nd Abra Provincial Mobile Force Company

ABRA — Two people drowned after being swept away by strong currents at the Ikmin River in Sitio Bani, Poblacion, Boliney, Abra, on 25 September.

The victims were identified as Hye Sook Byeon, 69, a missionary from South Korea, and Zosimo Gaano, 49, a pastor of the Jesus Our Banner Church.

The two were reportedly at the river when Byeon was swept away by the swift current. Gaano attempted to rescue her but was also overpowered and dragged downstream.

The Boliney Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Municipal Health Office, Municipal Police Station, 17th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army, 2nd Abra Provincial Mobile Force Company and Bureau of Fire Protection immediately launched a search and rescue operation.

Residents and volunteers from the municipality’s barangays also joined the effort, navigating heavy rains and steep slopes along the riverbanks to help responders locate the victims.

Responders recovered Byeon’s body at about 2:39 p.m. in Sitio Paak, Poblacion.

The search continued downstream, with Gaano’s body recovered at about 6:30 p.m. in Bantay, Sallapadan, Abra.