3 missing students found dead

CEBU, Philippines – The three students of Calagasan National High School in Argao who went missing after being swept by flashflood Monday afternoon were found dead yesterday morning.

Members of the search and rescue team first found the body of Ritchelle Pasaje, 15, of Barangay Canbantog past 6 a.m. at the river in Barangay Canbanua.

Few hours later, the body of Earl Kyle Sarbido, 13, of Barangay Linut-od was fished out of the seawaters off Barangay Poblacion. Caroline Marson, 15, of Barangay Canbantog was the last to be recovered near the place where Sarbido was found.

Vip Semilla, disaster risk reduction management officer of Argao, said the search and rescue operation went smoothly with the help of Bantay Dagat, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, and the Philippine National Police.

The victims came from school when they were swept away by flashflood while crossing the river on their way home.

“Grupo sila nagkuyog, ang upat naabtan sa baha pero ang tulo naanod unya ang usa nakagunit sa kahoy unya nakalabang pero naay mga bun-og,” Semilla said.

Provincial Information Office head Ethel Natera said the provincial government will extend burial assistance to the families of the victims.

“Our PSWD will wait for the assessment from the social worker in Argao and we can decide from there the amount to be given. Aside from burial assistance, we will also provide rice and food packs for the family,” Natera said.

Argao Mayor Edsel Galeos said he would also seek the help of PSWDO to conduct stress debriefing for the grieving families.

Galeos is also planning to ask help from the Department of Health in the needed psychosocial interventions. Galeos said helping the families of the victims cope with the trauma because of the incident will be his next priority.

The mayor said funeral services will be shouldered by the municipal government.

“Usually, the burial assistance the municipality gives is P2,500. But it depends on the situation. Kung dunay indigent, atoa gyud nang lungon ana. Then apilan pa sad nato usahay ug kape ug biskwit para sa haya. Ug kanunay gyud ng transportation sa mga maghatud sa lubong labi na kung sa bukid gikan,” the mayor added.

Rizalina Sambola, principal of Calagasan National High School, said a stress debriefing should be done especially on the students who witnessed the drowning incident.

“Ako to’ng giadto ang bata nga apil atong four students nga wala ra naanod. Sige’g hilak. Wala daw siya’y tulog gabii (Monday). Sige’g hilak. In a state of shock gyud siya. Sige siya’g ingon nga wala daw siyay nahimo. Akong giingnan nga dili niya sala nga wala niya masalbar ang iyang kauban nga usa sa mga namatay,” Sambola said.

The female student who survived the flashflood, the principal added, is a best friend of one of the female fatalities.— (FREEMAN)