TWO 4-YEAR OLD CHILD DIE IN A DROWNING INCIDENT ALONG SIDE CHICO RIVER

August 10, 2024 Provincial

BONTOC, Mountain Province

A drowning incident along the Chico River in Sitio Cheppay, Barangay Bontoc Ili, Bontoc, Mountain Province afternoon of August 4,2024 claimed the lives of two children. The two fatalities who are both four years old and
residents of Barangay Bontoc Ili were identified as Chris “Foman-eg” Pangod Payocyoc and Seth “Paspas”Pangod
Comafay. Per report, the Bontoc Operations Center received a distress call from one of the members of the Bontoc
Emergency Response Team (BERT) around 3:20PM, on August 04, 2024.

As an immediate response, the Bontoc Emergency Operations Center has been activated and composite teams from the Bontoc Municipal Police Station (MPS) , Bontoc Municipal Fire Station (MFS) , Municipal Health Office,
Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Bontoc Emergency Response Team, family members and community volunteers responded to the incident site to conduct Search, Rescue and Retrieval operations.

The first victim, Chris “Foman-eg” Pangod Payocyoc was rescued by his own father, Jason Ganisi Payocyoc near the
incident site and was immediately referred to Bontoc General Hospital for further medical management. However, after a series of revival attempts he was declared dead due to drowning around 3:40PM of the same day by his attending physician. His body was later brought home to their residence.

The second victim, Seth “Paspas” Pangod Comafay was retrieved by the responders at around 3:56PM of the same day. Series of pulmonary resuscitation attempts were conducted at the incident site, but he was declared dead due to drowning by Municipal Health Officer, Dr. Diga Kay Gomez at the incident site. His remains was brought to their residence at Sitio Chakkong, Bontoc Ili, Bontoc, Mountain Province.

On behalf of the Bontoc community, Mayor Jerome “Chagsen” Tudlong, Jr., extended his deepest sympathies to the bereaved families. He enjoined everyone in prayer for the eternal repose of the souls of the children. Also, he thanked everyone who responded to the incident. Meanwhile, a cleansing ritual was performed by Barangay Kagawad William Cherweg of Bontoc Ili.

Alpine L. Killa-Malwagay & Christy Mae C. Pangesfan, Bontoc