Man drowns in flood

CEBU, Philippines - A construction worker was found dead yesterday dawn at the Butuanon River in Barangay Pit-os after he was reported missing last Monday.

Norman Morcilla, 22, a native of Guihulngan, Negros Oriental, went missing after he was swept away by floodwater while crossing the Butuanon River. Morcilla was with his co-workers when they crossed the floodwater to get to their bunkhouse.

SPO4 Rey Cuyos, homicide investigator, said that the victim’s co-worker, Tirso Castro, immediately reported the incident and ask for help. Rescue workers from the Cebu City Disaster Coordinating Council, Philippine National Red Cross, and the Bureau of Fire Protection Rescue Unit were immediately deployed to conduct search and rescue operation.

Rescue efforts failed until the victim’s body was found stuck in the mud along the riverbanks. —(FREEMAN)